Vision loss rare but possible after platelet-rich plasma injections

DENVER — While rare, platelet-rich plasma injections can sometimes affect vision loss, suggesting similar precautions be used as with facial fillers, according to a study presented here.

“By now we all know that if you accidentally inject soft tissue fillers into a part of the face, there’s a possibility, although rare, that you could get vision loss. As a result of this, we have really adapted the way that we inject filler,” Sean Wu, MD, a board-certified dermatologist practicing in Baltimore, said during a presentation at the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery Annual Meeting.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections, which are a very high concentration of platelets, could have similar effects.

Wu and colleagues conducted a systematic review of literature and found seven cases of PRP-related vision loss, six of which resulted in complete blindness in one eye and one that resulted in partial vision loss.

The most common injection site leading to vision loss was the glabella, followed by the forehead and one case each for lateral canthus, nasolabial fold and a dental injection for temporomandibular joint.

Notably, there were no vision loss reports with PRP injections to the scalp for alopecia treatment.

The one patient with partial vision loss regained vision after a 14-day systemic steroid regimen, with sight returning to 20/20 after 3 months.

“Vision loss is pretty rare with PRP injections, but possible,” Wu said. “As a field we may want to consider similar precautions injecting PRP as we do injecting fillers.”