Blepharospasm is a focal dystonia. Individuals with blepharospasm have normal vision, but forced closure of the eyelids may interfere with sight.
- Symptoms
Blepharospasm causes involuntary muscle contractions in the eyelid and brow muscles. The repetitive muscle contractions may be subtle and result in mild blinking, or more robust and cause sustained, forced closure of the eyes.
Blepharospasm may occur in association with dystonia of the face or jaw (oromandibular dystonia) in what is known as Meige’s syndrome. In such cases, spasms of the eyelids are accompanied by jaw clenching or mouth opening, grimacing, and/or tongue movements.
- Cause
Experts believe dystonia results from excessive signals arising from the brain that cause muscles to contract inappropriately. However, the exact reason why the brain delivers these excessive signals is not completely understood. Blepharospasm may result from drug exposure, brain injury, or disorders such as parkinsonian syndromes and Wilson’s disease. In many cases, there is no identifiable cause.
- 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
The most effective treatment for blepharospasm is regular botulinum neurotoxin injections to the affected muscles. Botulinum neurotoxin injections for blepharospasm typically include multiple injection sites applied around the eyes and brows.
The most common side effects from the injections are the development of droopy eyelids or double vision, both of which are temporary. Although injections are administered with an extremely fine needle, ecchymosis (“black eyes”) may rarely occur because the delicate tissues surrounding the eyes bruise easily. This typically resolves within days, with minimal treatment such as cold or warm compresses. In experienced hands, botulinum neurotoxin injections have extremely low incidences of side effects.
Oral medications—including clonazepam, lorazepam, and trihexyphenidyl—can be helpful in select cases.
In cases that do not respond to other treatments, myectomy surgery in which portions of muscle are removed may be attempted. However, botulinum neurotoxin injections may still be needed following the surgery, and the procedure’s benefits may not be permanent. Only a very select number of surgical teams in the United States offer this highly specialized procedure.
Accessories that may lessen symptoms include dark glasses (particularly wrap-around style sun glasses with additional side coverage), frames with FL-41 tinted lenses, or eyelid crutches.
- What Type of Doctor Treats Blepharospasm?
The type of doctor that is typically trained to diagnose and treat blepharospasm and other dystonias is a neurologist with special training in movement disorders, often called a movement disorder specialist. Neuro-ophthalmologists, ophthalmologists, and other health care providers may also diagnose and treat blepharospasm, depending on their training and experience.
Individuals are encouraged to confirm that the health care professionals they consult have specific training and experience in treating blepharospasm.
The diagnosis of blepharospasm relies on the ability of a qualified healthcare professional to recognize the symptoms and rule out other possibilities. Blepharospasm should not be confused with conditions such as ptosis, blepharitis, or hemifacial spasm.
- Does Blepharospasm Progress?
Symptoms of blepharospasm may begin with increased blinking, light sensitivity, a sensation of eye irritation or dry eyes, or a foreign body sensation. Blepharospasm almost always affects both eyes, but may begin in one eye. Symptoms are typically worsened by stress and may improve after sleep. Some individuals discover “sensory tricks” which are movements or gestures that temporarily relieve symptoms such as gently touching the face, rubbing the eyes, or speaking.
- Living with Blepharospasm
Living well with blepharospasm is possible. The early stages of onset, diagnosis, and seeking effective treatment are often the most challenging. The symptoms may vary from mild to severe, and symptoms often fluctuate from day to day.
Individuals must learn to adapt to the changes in vision or reduced vision due to eye closure, and this may require learning new ways to do daily activities.
Individuals living with blepharospasm are strongly encouraged to:
• Seek out the best medical care.
• Learn about dystonia and treatment options.
• Develop a multi-layered support system of support groups, online resources, friends, and family
• Seek expert mental health professionals to diagnose and treat possible co-existing depression or anxiety disorders.
• Investigate complementary therapies.
• Get active within the dystonia community.- Further Medical Information
The Benign Essential Blepharospasm Canadian Research Foundation (BEBCRF) has amassed a large body of information on the symptoms and treatment of Benign Essential Blepharospasm from expert medical professionals. This in-depth information can be accessed through their website, by clicking here.
To see the difference between facial tic and blepharospasm, click here.
To view the latest research related to blepharospasm, please click here.
- Medical Practitioners with Specialization in Dystonia/BEB/Hemifacial Spasm:
To get in touch with one of these medical practitioners, click on the doctor’s name to access their contact information.
Harmeet S. Gill MD, FACS FRCSC
David R. Jordan MD. FACS, FRCSC
Stephen P. Kraft MD. FRCSC
Earl Consky MD
Yasser Khan MD, FRSCS
Anthony M. Kaufmann, MD, BSc (Med) MSc FRCSCFind an opthalmologist here.
Find an oculoplastic surgeon here.
Please note that patients require a referral from their family physician to see an ophthalmologist or oculoplastic surgeon.
Other Resources:
Facebook Blepharospasm Support Group: click here.
Patient Interview: Patricia Goodwin, diagnosed with Blepharospasm in 2009, discusses the condition in an interview here.
Blepharospasm Dystonia Brochure
BEBCRF Brochure
Blepharospasm contact: Robin Krantz rokrantz@hotmail.com
Previously Recorded Webinars:
Click here to watch Living with Dystonia: Blepharospasm/ Meige's Syndrome Webinar - January 26, 2022
Last updated: October 2021
Thank you to Benign Essential Blepharospasm Canadian Research Foundation (BEBCRF) and Dystonia Medical Research Foundation (USA) for allowing us to share this information. The DMRF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to advancing research for improved dystonia treatments and ultimately a cure, promoting awareness, and supporting the well-being of affected individuals and families.