A sight for sore eyes

By Diane Prokop
Times Staff Writer

Whether your eyes have seen the years or your face is showing it, you may be surprised to learn that a trip to your ophthalmologist can soon have you singing a different tune.
It seems there’s another wrinkle to Botox.
Mary DeFrancisco, an ophthalmologist with Keystone Eye Associates, says doctors in her field have been using Botox to treat facial spasms, such as blepharospasms, as far back as the early 1980s. When doctors injected botulinum toxin into the spasm or twitching sites, it paralyzed the muscle and stopped the spasms. Other medical uses include treating migraines and even excessive sweating.
Doctors also observed that wrinkles went away.
If a doctor is too aggressive, a patient can wind up with a droopy eyelid, but that goes away too. Severe side effects are extremely rare, DeFrancisco said.
She is one of a dozen ophthalmologists in her multi-specialty group who offer not only general ophthalmology, Lasik procedures and pediatric ophthalmology, but also oculoplastics and other cosmetic services. The practice has five locations, including a new aesthetic care center at 9126 Blue Grass Road.
"As a practice, we really needed to do this. There isn’t any aspect we didn’t want to cover," she said.
In practice since 1983, DeFrancisco is a fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons, as well as a member of the American Medical Women’s Association. She received special training in Botox and Juvederm treatments. Juvederm is dermal filler used to smooth facial wrinkles and folds.
While the primary focus of her practice is diseases of the anterior segment and glaucoma, she’s been working with the aesthetic end of treatment since 1996. DeFrancisco is enjoying her work in this field.
"It’s not life or death. It’s not restoring somebody’s vision. It’s not anything serious. It’s a fun thing," she said.
It’s not painful either.
The area to be treated is cleaned and then coated with a topical anesthetic before DeFrancisco administers tiny injections of Botox Cosmetic (Botulinum Toxin Type A) or Juvederm.
Botox is injected directly into the muscles that control frown lines. While the treatment takes only minutes, it could be three to four days before the results are fully realized, according to DeFrancisco. Results last up to four months.
Results for Juvederm last up to one year.
The doctor noted, however, that lines are much deeper on smokers and more difficult to erase.
Minimal treatment ranges from $200 to $550, which is not covered by insurance.
DeFrancisco’s associate, Dr. John Lee, is also available if patients require more of a surgical intervention. In addition to all aspects of facial plastic surgery, cosmetic facial surgery and restorative treatments, Lee treats patients with droopy eyelids, orbital tumors and congenital deformities.
The Blue Grass Road office is staffed with workers who appear to be happy and refreshed. While not everyone takes advantage of it, employee discounts on cosmetic services help to boost the morale of the office.
They get the same comments that DeFrancisco’s other patients get: You look different. Did you get a haircut?
While some people might think these injections will freeze their attempts to show facial emotion, or that others will immediately suspect a Botox treatment, that’s really not the case, the doctor said.
"People can’t easily pinpoint it," DeFrancisco said.
One employee who underwent treatment said she just looked like she had a really good night’s sleep. To look at another staff member, who had received Botox in her forehead and Juvederm around her mouth, you’d never know she was 50. You might guess she’s 35, only because she had a little work done. Otherwise, late 20s or 30 probably would be your guess.
"Oh my gosh, I love it. I didn’t feel any pain. I don’t like to get needles but it didn’t bother me," said the staffer, who didn’t want her name in the paper. She added that she’ll continue to get the treatments.
Continued use, according to DeFrancisco, also may slow the process of the effects wearing off and make treatments last longer. ••
For more information or to schedule a free consultation, call 215-969-3770 or visit www.keystoneeye.com
To see before-and-after examples of what Botox Cosmetic can do, check out www.botoxcosmetic.com/how_botox_works/before_after.aspx
Reporter Diane Prokop can be reached at 215-354-3036 or dprokop@phillynews.com