Successful Reversal of Hyaluronic Acid-Induced Retinal Artery Occlusion via Blunt Needle Injection for Frown Lines

A 33-year-old female patient was admitted to our hospital 5 h after developing sudden unclear vision in her left eye following injection of hyaluronic acid (periorbital dermis of the left eye) into the frown lines. She was diagnosed with acute retinal artery occlusion and underwent emergency cerebral angiography and hyaluronidase intervention for vascular recanalization treatment. In addition, she received postoperative neurotrophic treatment, as well as therapies to improve circulation, eliminate edema, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. These treatments transformed left eye vision (from hand movement to a central visual acuity of 0.5). This study highlights a potential complication of hyaluronic acid injections using blunt needles: vascular embolization. Given this risk, health-care providers should exercise extreme caution during the injection procedure. In addition, prompt intervention is crucial in cases of embolization.

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