Blepharospasm causes uncontrolled blinking and eye irritation, and is often associated with dystonia. Treatment options include eye drops, botulinum toxin, oral medications, and surgery. Stress management and ergonomic lighting can also help reduce symptoms.
Blepharospasm is a condition that causes uncontrolled blinking. Patients may experience eye irritation and dryness, especially bright or stressful conditions, and in some cases patients feel that their eyelids are sealed, causing functional blindness. As a general rule, blepharospasm isn’t harmful, but many people choose to seek treatment because it can be uncomfortable and cause eye irritation. An ophthalmologist can usually provide treatment recommendations for patients experiencing blepharospasm.
This condition is a form of dystonia, a family of muscle disorders characterized by strong, sustained contractions. Often, blepharospasm is associated with dystonia in another area of the body and is usually caused by damage to the brain from a stroke or other medical condition. When blepharospasm affects only half of the face, it’s known as hemifacial blepharospasm and is usually caused by damage to the facial nerves.
A doctor usually diagnoses this condition with a physical exam and interview. During the interview, the patient will be asked how long ago he noticed a problem and how frequent the blepharospasm is. If you’re unsure, it can be helpful to ask a friend or family member who may have noticed the condition before you. Your eye doctor may also ask about increased stress in your life, changed working conditions, or your history of head injury, in an effort to find out the cause of your blepharospasm.
Most cases of blepharospasm are diagnosed as benign essential blepharospasm and patients have several treatment options. They may choose to ignore the problem, using eye drops to relieve eye irritation if it becomes a problem. They may also opt for temporary facial nerve paralysis with the use of botulinum toxin. Some oral medications can be used to control the spasm, and in rare cases, surgery can be used to sever the overactive nerve causing the spasm, although this isn’t always successful.
Blepharospasm is considered a chronic condition and usually gets worse over time if not addressed. Sometimes, the spasmodic blinks and twitches can be greatly reduced by working on stress and living and working conditions. Using ergonomic lighting at work, for example, can reduce eye strain, making blepharospasm less common, and using stress management techniques can also reduce unwanted twitching.
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