The Functional Anatomy of the Ophthalmic Angiosome and Its Implications in Blindness as a Complication of Cosmetic Facial Filler Procedures

Abstract

Blindness following facial filler procedures, although rare, is devastating, usually acute, permanent, and attributed to an ophthalmic artery embolus. However, blindness may be delayed for up to 2 weeks, sometimes following injection at remote sites, suggesting alternative pathways and pathogenesis. Seeking solutions, fresh cadaver radiographic lead oxide injection, dissection, and histologic studies of the orbital and facial pathways of the ophthalmic angiosome, performed by the ophthalmic artery and vein, both isolated and together, and facial artery perfusions, were combined with total body archival arterial and venous investigations. These revealed (1) arteriovenous connections between the ophthalmic artery and vein in the orbit and between vessels in the inner canthus, allowing passage of large globules of lead oxide; (2) the glabella, inner canthi, and nasal dorsum are the most vulnerable injection sites because ophthalmic artery branches are anchored to the orbital rim as they exit, a plexus of large-caliber avalvular veins drain into the orbits, and arteriovenous connections are present; (3) choke anastomoses between posterior and anterior ciliary vessels supplying the choroid and eye muscles may react with spasm to confine territories impacted with ophthalmic artery embolus; (4) true anastomoses exist between ophthalmic and ipsilateral or contralateral facial arteries, without reduction in caliber, permitting unobstructed embolus from remote sites; and (5) ophthalmic and facial veins are avalvular, allowing reverse flow. The authors' study has shown potential arterial and venous pathways for filler embolus to cause blindness or visual field defects, and is supported clinically by a review of the case literature of blindness following facial filler injection.