Vision Loss After Nonsurgical Rhinoplasty Often Immediate: Systematic Review
Key Takeaways
- A systematic review identified 22 reported cases of vision loss following nonsurgical rhinoplasty with dermal fillers.
- Vision loss occurred immediately after injection in 82% of cases, and only 27% of patients achieved full visual recovery.
- The nasal bridge or dorsum was the most frequently reported injection site.
- Hyaluronic acid was the most common filler.
Vision loss following nonsurgical rhinoplasty with dermal fillers is rare but can result in persistent visual impairment, according to findings from a systematic review of published cases.
Vision Loss After Nonsurgical Rhinoplasty Often Occurred Immediately
Investigators searched Scopus, Ovid MEDLINE, and CINAHL for reports of visual complications associated with dermal fillers and nonsurgical rhinoplasty. After screening 1,498 unique articles, 21 articles encompassing 22 cases of vision loss met inclusion criteria. Patients were a mean age of 33.4 years, and 90.9% were female. Hyaluronic acid accounted for 50% of reported fillers. Vision loss occurred immediately after injection in 82% of cases.
Among patients with a reported injection site, the nasal bridge or dorsum was most common [12 patients (57%)], followed by the glabellar region [6 (29%)]. Five patients received injections at multiple sites.
Full visual recovery was reported in 27% of cases, requiring an average of 5.3 months. Reported treatments included hyaluronidase, corticosteroids, and antibiotics; vision loss was often reported as irreversible despite treatment. The authors noted that hyperbaric oxygen therapy showed potential but requires further investigation.
“Prevention through careful technique, detailed anatomical knowledge, and prompt intervention remains essential,” the authors wrote.
Source
Pistone E, et al. Aesthetic Surgery Journal. 2026. Doi:10.1093/asj/sjag174