On Dec. 29, 1989, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Oculinum’s (onabotulinumtoxinA) for treatment of strabismus and blepharospasm in patients 12 years and older. Strabismus is a deviation of ocular alignment and blepharospasm involves eyelid spasms and involuntary eye closure.

Through expanded research into aesthetic uses Allergan later commenced clinical trials to study the treatment’s safety and efficacy for moderate to severe frown lines, making it the first product of its kind approved in the world.

In 1991, Oculinum, founded by ophthalmologist Alan B. Scott in San Francisco, was acquired by Allergan and the product was rebranded as BOTOX.