Retrobulbar Hyaluronidase in Hyaluronic Acid-Induced Ocular Vascular Occlusion: Efficacy, Challenges, and Implications for Clinical Practice

Introduction: Ophthalmic vascular occlusion due to hyaluronic acid (OVOH) is a rare but devastating complication of cosmetic filler injections, often resulting in severe vision loss. Materials: The methodology involved a systematic search across PubMed, NCBI, Google Scholar, and Cochrane to investigate factors influencing central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) caused by fillers. Searches focused on "eye vascular anatomy," "ocular physiology in response to ischemia," "components AND hyaluronic acid AND inflammation," "recovery from blindness associated with fillers," "retrobulbar technique," and "hyaluronidase degradation AND fillers." This review examines the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and management of OVOH by synthesizing findings from case reports, clinical studies, and experimental research. It elucidates retinal vascular anatomy, HA embolization mechanisms, and treatment efficacy, highlighting the critical importance of timely intervention. Results: OVOH typically presents with rapid vision loss within minutes of HA injection, often accompanied by severe ocular pain. The primary treatment, hyaluronidase (HYAL), is most effective when administered early, although retrobulbar HYAL shows limited overall success. Factors such as ischemia duration and the presence of cilioretinal arteries significantly influence retinal survival and recovery. The review discusses the complexities of retinal hypoxia and the implications of various intervention strategies. Conclusion: Timely intervention is crucial for managing OVOH. Although retrobulbar HYAL remains a key treatment option, its effectiveness varies and necessitates optimization. Early and accurate diagnosis is essential, underscoring the need for further research to refine treatment strategies and improve outcomes for patients with retinal vascular occlusions. Level of Evidence IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.