Immediate Management After PDGF Under-Eye Injection with Migraine and Swelling
You should seek immediate medical evaluation, ideally from the physician who performed your PDGF injection or an ophthalmologist, as migraine and unilateral swelling following periocular injections can indicate serious complications requiring urgent assessment.
Immediate Actions to Take
- Contact your treating physician immediately to report these symptoms, as post-injection complications require prompt evaluation to rule out serious adverse events 1
- Apply cold compresses to the swollen area for 10-15 minutes at a time to reduce inflammation, but avoid direct pressure on the injection site 1
- Avoid touching or rubbing the area to minimize risk of introducing infection 1
- Document your symptoms including when they started, severity of pain (on a 1-10 scale), and any vision changes 1
Warning Signs Requiring Emergency Evaluation
Seek emergency care immediately if you experience:
- Sudden vision changes or vision loss in either eye 1
- Severe, worsening eye pain that doesn't respond to over-the-counter pain medication 1
- Increasing redness, warmth, or discharge from the eye, which could indicate infection 1
- Fever or systemic symptoms suggesting possible infection 1
- Neurological symptoms beyond typical migraine (confusion, weakness, speech changes) 2
Migraine Management While Awaiting Medical Evaluation
For the migraine component specifically:
- First-line treatment: Take acetaminophen (1000mg) or an NSAID like ibuprofen (400-600mg) early in the attack for best effectiveness 2
- Rest in a dark, quiet room to minimize sensory triggers 2, 3
- Stay hydrated as dehydration can worsen migraine symptoms 3
- Avoid additional triggers including bright lights, loud noises, and strong odors 3
If you have prescription triptans available and no contraindications, these are first-line for moderate to severe migraines, but consult your physician before taking any new medications given your recent injection 2.
Understanding the Complication Risk
The swelling and migraine following periocular PDGF injection warrant concern because:
- Injection-related complications can include local inflammation, infection (though rare at 0.019-0.09%), or vascular events 1
- Unilateral periorbital swelling combined with headache requires evaluation to exclude orbital cellulitis, allergic reaction, or vascular complications 1
- Migraine-like symptoms can occasionally represent more serious intracranial processes, particularly when associated with new-onset periorbital swelling 1, 2
What Your Physician Will Likely Assess
During your evaluation, expect:
- Visual acuity testing to ensure no vision compromise 1
- Slit-lamp examination to evaluate for inflammation, infection, or other ocular complications 1
- Assessment of injection site for signs of infection, hematoma, or allergic reaction 1
- Intraocular pressure measurement if indicated 1
- Neurological examination if migraine features are atypical 2
Critical Pitfall to Avoid
Do not assume these symptoms are "normal" post-injection effects and wait for them to resolve on their own. While mild swelling can occur after periocular injections, the combination of migraine and unilateral swelling requires professional evaluation to exclude serious complications 1. Early intervention for complications significantly improves outcomes 1.