What is Blepharospasm?

Blepharospasm is a neurological condition that causes involuntary closing, twitching, or blinking of the eyelids. It can affect one or both eyes and interfere with vision and daily activities.

Blepharospasm is a type of focal dystonia, which means abnormal muscle contractions in one part of the body. It is estimated to affect about 16 to 133 people per million. Women and older adults are more commonly affected.

Botulinum toxin injections are approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for treating blepharospasm in patients who have had an inadequate response to other treatments. The injections need to be repeated every few months to maintain the effect.

What are The Symptoms of Blepharospasm?

Mild twitching of the eyelids is typically called tics or twitches. In blepharospasm, the abnormal twitching or closing of the eyelids is much more severe, causing discomfort, visual impairment, and social embarrassment.

Some of the symptoms of blepharospasm are:

  • Frequent, uncontrolled blinking
  • Forced closing of the eyes or difficulty opening them
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Dry or irritated eyes
  • Blurry vision

The symptoms may vary in severity and frequency, and they may get worse over time. They may also be triggered by stress, fatigue, anxiety, bright lights, wind, or air pollution.

Blepharospasm is a neurological condition that causes involuntary closing, twitching, or blinking of the eyelids. It can affect one or both eyes and interfere with vision and daily activities.

Blepharospasm is a type of focal dystonia, which means abnormal muscle contractions in one part of the body. It is estimated to affect about 16 to 133 people per million. Women and older adults are more commonly affected.

Botulinum toxin injections are approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for treating blepharospasm in patients who have had an inadequate response to other treatments. The injections need to be repeated every few months to maintain the effect.

Mild twitching of the eyelids is typically called tics or twitches. In blepharospasm, the abnormal twitching or closing of the eyelids is much more severe, causing discomfort, visual impairment, and social embarrassment.

Some of the symptoms of blepharospasm are:

  • Frequent, uncontrolled blinking
  • Forced closing of the eyes or difficulty opening them
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Dry or irritated eyes
  • Blurry vision

The symptoms may vary in severity and frequency, and they may get worse over time. They may also be triggered by stress, fatigue, anxiety, bright lights, wind, or air pollution.

Botulinum toxin, a neurotoxin produced by Clostridium botulinum bacteria, is a potent muscle relaxant that effectively reduces involuntary contractions in blepharospasm. This toxin works by hindering the release of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter responsible for muscle contraction.

In treating blepharospasm, your neurologist will inject the toxin directly into the affected muscles around the eye. The injection locations and dosage are determined based on the severity and location of the spasms. Typically, the impact of botulinum toxin injections last 3-4 months, so patients need to repeat the injections periodically to maintain relief.

A movement disorder neurologist may recommend botulinum toxin for blepharospasm when other treatments, such as medications or stress management, are ineffective or cause unwanted side effects.

Botulinum toxin injections are available through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for patients with blepharospasm.

Botulinum toxin injection is not advised if the patient:

  • has skin infection at the site of injection
  • has neuromuscular disorders such as myasthenia gravis or motor neurone disease
  • is allergic to any component of botulinum toxin product

What to Expect After Treatment?

Botulinum toxin injections can reduce the frequency and severity of eyelid spasms in most people with blepharospasm.

Patients can expect to see improvements in their symptoms within 2-4 days post-injection, with peak effects usually occurring after a week. The results typically last up to 4 months, after which the injection may need to be repeated.

Botulinum toxin injections are generally well-tolerated and have few side effects. These can include dry eyes, drooping eyelids, blurred vision, and increased sensitivity to light. However, these side effects are usually temporary and resolve on their own.

Botulinum Toxin for Blepharospasm at Melbourne NeuroCare

At Melbourne NeuroCare, we have a team of experts who can provide you with botulinum toxin injections and other advanced treatments for various movement disorders. To book an appointment or learn more about our clinic, please call us at 1300 080 784. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

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