Medical Botox Creator Ophthalmologist dies at 89

At the age of 89, it is known that the ophthalmologist who was credited with developing botulinum toxin for medical use has died. Alan Brown Scott, MD, a native of Berkeley, California, turned the drug, once a deadly poison, into a revolutionary treatment for obscure eye diseases four decades ago. Later, it became a well-known treatment for reducing the appearance of wrinkles and treating hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating). Its popularity for cosmetic use was boosted further during the pandemic and it was the No. 1 minimally invasive cosmetic procedure performed in 2020 according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Of 13.3 million procedures, 4.4 million involved botulinum toxin. Reportedly, the toxin was first sent to Dr Scott, who wanted to explore its properties for medical use.The original botulinum toxin itself was so powerful that a tiny amount could suffocate a person by paralysing the muscles used for breathing. Dr Scott was looking for a way to help his patients avoid extensive surgeries. Specifically, he was aiming to treat people with strabismus, or cross-eyes, and blepharospasm, which is an uncontrollable closure of the eyes. Today, it is also used as a treatment to help with migraines, and hair loss.