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Blepharospasm
Blepharospasm is a neurological disorder characterized by intermittent, involuntary spasms and contractions of the orbicularis oculi (eyelid) muscles around both eyes. These result in abnormal twitching or blinking, and in the extreme, sustained eyelid closure resulting in functional blindness.
The word blepharospasm is derived from the Greek: βλέφαρον / blepharon, eyelid, and σπασμός / spasmos, spasm, an uncontrolled muscle contraction. The condition should be distinguished from the more common, and milder, involuntary quivering of an eyelid, known as myokymia or fasciculation.
Blepharospasm is one form of a group of movement disorders called dystonia. It may be a primary or secondary disorder. The primary disorder is benign essential blepharospasm, in which term the qualifier essential indicates that the cause is unknown. Blepharospasm may occur as secondary to conditions including dry eyes and other specific ocular disease or conditions, Meige's syndrome and other forms of dystonia, and Parkinson's disease and other movement disorders.
Blepharospasm occurs in middle age and is more frequent among women than men. The most common treatments are medication and periodic injections of botulinum toxin into the eyelid muscles.
Blepharospasm is a fairly rare disease. Estimates of incidence and prevalence vary, tending to be higher in population studies than service studies, likely because of delays in diagnosis. In the United States, approximately 2,000 new cases of blepharospasm are diagnosed each year. Estimates of incidence per million persons-years range from 14.5 in Northern California to 100 in Taiwan. Estimates of prevalence per million range from 12 in Olmsted County, Minnesota to 133 in Puglia, Southern Italy.
The onset of blepharospasm tends to be during the ages 40–60. The condition is roughly more than twice as frequent among females than males, which may be related to menopause and hormone treatments. In Taiwan, the condition is more frequent among white- than blue-collar workers.
Blepharospasm usually begins with occasional twitches of both eyelids, which progress over time to forceful and frequent spasms and contractions of the eyelids. In severe episodes, the patient cannot open their eyelids (apraxia), which severely limits their daily activities. Prolonged closure of the eyelids may result in functional blindness.
Patients suffering from blepharospasm also report sensory symptoms including sensitivity to light, dry eyes, and burning sensation and grittiness in the eyes. Although such symptoms tend to precede the onset of the blepharospasm, they may both be due to a common third factor.
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Blepharospasm
Blepharospasm is a neurological disorder characterized by intermittent, involuntary spasms and contractions of the orbicularis oculi (eyelid) muscles around both eyes. These result in abnormal twitching or blinking, and in the extreme, sustained eyelid closure resulting in functional blindness.
The word blepharospasm is derived from the Greek: βλέφαρον / blepharon, eyelid, and σπασμός / spasmos, spasm, an uncontrolled muscle contraction. The condition should be distinguished from the more common, and milder, involuntary quivering of an eyelid, known as myokymia or fasciculation.
Blepharospasm is one form of a group of movement disorders called dystonia. It may be a primary or secondary disorder. The primary disorder is benign essential blepharospasm, in which term the qualifier essential indicates that the cause is unknown. Blepharospasm may occur as secondary to conditions including dry eyes and other specific ocular disease or conditions, Meige's syndrome and other forms of dystonia, and Parkinson's disease and other movement disorders.
Blepharospasm occurs in middle age and is more frequent among women than men. The most common treatments are medication and periodic injections of botulinum toxin into the eyelid muscles.
Blepharospasm is a fairly rare disease. Estimates of incidence and prevalence vary, tending to be higher in population studies than service studies, likely because of delays in diagnosis. In the United States, approximately 2,000 new cases of blepharospasm are diagnosed each year. Estimates of incidence per million persons-years range from 14.5 in Northern California to 100 in Taiwan. Estimates of prevalence per million range from 12 in Olmsted County, Minnesota to 133 in Puglia, Southern Italy.
The onset of blepharospasm tends to be during the ages 40–60. The condition is roughly more than twice as frequent among females than males, which may be related to menopause and hormone treatments. In Taiwan, the condition is more frequent among white- than blue-collar workers.
Blepharospasm usually begins with occasional twitches of both eyelids, which progress over time to forceful and frequent spasms and contractions of the eyelids. In severe episodes, the patient cannot open their eyelids (apraxia), which severely limits their daily activities. Prolonged closure of the eyelids may result in functional blindness.
Patients suffering from blepharospasm also report sensory symptoms including sensitivity to light, dry eyes, and burning sensation and grittiness in the eyes. Although such symptoms tend to precede the onset of the blepharospasm, they may both be due to a common third factor.