Because blepharospasm is a rare neurological disorder, most people aren’t aware of its symptoms or causes. This means that individuals who have it often aren’t diagnosed.
However, given that it’s a progressive disorder that occurs in men and women and can cause functional blindness—if not visual disturbances—it’s important to know at least the basics about it so we can manage and identify it.
An Overview of Blepharospasm
Blepharospasm, or eye dystonia, is a type of focal disorder that causes uncomfortable and sometimes painful contractions of the eyelid muscles, thus causing the eyes to close.
Although the condition does not have any adverse effects on the person’s vision or their mental faculties, it does cause a lot of discomfort, since it can lead to uncontrolled tensing of the eye muscles, shaking, and a range of other involuntary movements.
The person experiencing blepharospasm may also experience dry eye and eye irritation. They may blink a lot and as the condition progresses, the muscles around the eyes may cause squinting or involuntary winking. The person may not even be able to keep their eyes open. In addition, it can lead to spasms affecting the jaw and tongue, a condition known as Meige Syndrome.
What Causes Blepharospasm?
The scientific community is still working on finding a cause for the disorder. In some cases, blepharospasm runs in the family, whereas for others, it was due to a combination of specific environmental and genetic factors.
There are even cases of blepharospasm being an effect of a long-standing eye trauma or injury.
What we do know is that a malfunction in a region of the brain called the ‘basal ganglia’—which helps regulate one’s learning and motor functions—plays a role in the development of this disorder.
Symptoms of Blepharospasm
The patient in question may not be able to keep their eyes open for a long period of time. Aside from eye irritation and forced blinking, they may experience frequent muscle contractions and spasms. They may become sensitive to certain factors such as emotional tension, fatigue and bright lights.
As the condition worsens, they may not be able to keep their eyes open at all, and may become functionally blind. The disorder may also lead to dystonia of the mouth, jaw and the lower part of the face.
Treating Blepharospasm
In many cases, blepharospasm is treated with Botox injections which relax the facial muscles so the spasms can stop. Though you could go with medication and surgery, that depends on your doctor’s recommendation.
Whatever option you choose though, it’s important that you have a certified neurologist guiding you along the way. Dr. Farzin Pedouim from Movement Help in Huntington Beach, LA is a leading professional in the medical community with a specialization in movement disorders and blepharospasm treatment. Affiliated with Cedar Sinai, Dr. Farzin Pedouim is also an assistant professor at Loma Linda University.
If you suspect that you may have blepharospasm, book an appointment and talk to the doctor about your possible treatment options in LA.
