Blepharospasm is a focal dystonia characterized by increased blinking and involuntary closing of the eyes. This form may be primary or secondary. People with blepharospasm have normal vision. When vision is impaired, it is due solely to the forced closure of the eyelids. Blepharospasm may be referred to as a “cranial dystonia.” Cranial dystonia is a broad description of dystonia that affects any part of the head
Terms used to describe blepharospasm include: eye dystonia, cranial dystonia, adult onset focal dystonia. When blepharospasm occurs with dystonia in the face, the term Meige’s syndrome may be used
Symptoms
Blepharospasm affects the eye muscles and usually begins gradually with excessive blinking and/or eye irritation. In the early stages it may only occur with specific precipitating stressors such as bright lights, fatigue, and emotional tension. It is almost always present in both eyes
As the condition progresses, symptoms may occur frequently during the day. The spasms disappear in sleep, and some people find that after a good night's sleep, spasms do not appear for several hours after waking. In a few cases, spasms may intensify so that the eyelids remain forcefully closed for several hours at a time
Blepharospasm can occur with dystonia affecting the mouth and/or jaw (oromandibular dystonia). When blepharospasm and oromandibular dystonia occur together, the condition may be referred to as Meige's syndrome. In such cases, spasms of the eyelids are accompanied by jaw clenching or mouth opening, grimacing, and tongue protrusion
Cause
Blepharospasm may develop spontaneously with no known precipitating factor or be inherited. Some people with blepharospasm have family members with dystonia affecting different body areas
Blepharospasm may be secondary due to drug exposure or occur in association with disorders such as parkinsonian syndromes and Wilson's disease
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of blepharospasm is based on information from the affected individual and the physical and neurological examination. At this time, there is no test to confirm diagnosis of blepharospasm, and, in most cases, assorted laboratory tests are normal
Blepharospasm should not be confused with
Ptosis- drooping of the eyelids caused by weakness or paralysis of a levator muscle of the upper eyelid
Blepharitis- an inflammatory condition of the lids due to infection or allergies
Hemifacial spasm- a non-dystonic condition involving various muscles on one side of the face, often including the eyelid, and caused by irritation of the facial nerve. The muscle contractions are more rapid and transient than those of blepharospasm, and the condition is always confined to one side
Treatment
One of the most effective treatments for blepharospasm is regular botulinum toxin injections to the affected muscles. Medications—including clonazepam, lorazepam, and trihexyphenidyl—are helpful in some cases. If botulinum toxin injections and medications are not effective, myectomy surgery in which portions of muscle are removed may also alleviate symptoms. Botulinum toxin injections may or may not be required following myectomy surgery
Terms used to describe blepharospasm include: eye dystonia, cranial dystonia, adult onset focal dystonia. When blepharospasm occurs with dystonia in the face, the term Meige’s syndrome may be used
Symptoms
Blepharospasm affects the eye muscles and usually begins gradually with excessive blinking and/or eye irritation. In the early stages it may only occur with specific precipitating stressors such as bright lights, fatigue, and emotional tension. It is almost always present in both eyes
As the condition progresses, symptoms may occur frequently during the day. The spasms disappear in sleep, and some people find that after a good night's sleep, spasms do not appear for several hours after waking. In a few cases, spasms may intensify so that the eyelids remain forcefully closed for several hours at a time
Blepharospasm can occur with dystonia affecting the mouth and/or jaw (oromandibular dystonia). When blepharospasm and oromandibular dystonia occur together, the condition may be referred to as Meige's syndrome. In such cases, spasms of the eyelids are accompanied by jaw clenching or mouth opening, grimacing, and tongue protrusion
Cause
Blepharospasm may develop spontaneously with no known precipitating factor or be inherited. Some people with blepharospasm have family members with dystonia affecting different body areas
Blepharospasm may be secondary due to drug exposure or occur in association with disorders such as parkinsonian syndromes and Wilson's disease
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of blepharospasm is based on information from the affected individual and the physical and neurological examination. At this time, there is no test to confirm diagnosis of blepharospasm, and, in most cases, assorted laboratory tests are normal
Blepharospasm should not be confused with
Ptosis- drooping of the eyelids caused by weakness or paralysis of a levator muscle of the upper eyelid
Blepharitis- an inflammatory condition of the lids due to infection or allergies
Hemifacial spasm- a non-dystonic condition involving various muscles on one side of the face, often including the eyelid, and caused by irritation of the facial nerve. The muscle contractions are more rapid and transient than those of blepharospasm, and the condition is always confined to one side
Treatment
One of the most effective treatments for blepharospasm is regular botulinum toxin injections to the affected muscles. Medications—including clonazepam, lorazepam, and trihexyphenidyl—are helpful in some cases. If botulinum toxin injections and medications are not effective, myectomy surgery in which portions of muscle are removed may also alleviate symptoms. Botulinum toxin injections may or may not be required following myectomy surgery
