WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT BLEPHAROSPASM
Christiane Tourtet B.A.
October 01, 2009
Blepharospasm also known as benign essential blepharospasm, ( BEB) is an abnormal spasm or involuntary blinking of the eyelids. It is a progressive neurological disorder and is associated with an abnormal function of the basal ganglion, which is the part of the brain responsible for controlling muscles. The cause of this malfunction is unknown , but in rare cases, heredity may play a role in the development of blepharospasm. BEB occurs in both men and women, and is especially common in middle-aged and elderly women.
The majority of people develop blepharospasm , suddenly, without any warning symptoms. It may start with eye irritation, and a gradual increase in blinking. It is a form of dystonia, which is a movement disorder in which muscle contractions cause twitching or repetitive movements, and sustained eye closure. Other symptoms may include involuntary squinting or winking of one or both eyes, light sensitivity and increasing difficulty in keeping the eyes open. Usually, the spasms occur during the day, disappear during sleep, and reappear after waking. The spasms may intensify as the condition progresses, forcing the eyelids to remain closed for quite long periods of time, and thus, causing functional blindness, or visual disturbance. It is important to realize that the blindness is not caused by a dysfunction of the eyes but solely by the uncontrollable closing of the eyelids. Facial spasms may develop as well.
As of now, there is no successful cure for blepharospasm, but there are several treatment options that can reduce its severity. Medications taken by mouth, are available but usually produce short term relief, can have quite unpredictable results, and have a tendency to be helpful only in 15 percent of the cases. In the United states and Canada , the injection of Botox into the muscles of the eyelids is an approved treatment for blepharospasm, as the
bacterium Clostridium botulinum, paralyses the muscles of the eyelids. Most people with BEB experience substantial relief of symptoms, however , some may experience side effects, such as blurred or double vision, eye dryness,
drooping eyelids, but usually these side effects are temporary.
A surgical procedure, called, Myectomy, to remove some of the muscles and nerves of the eyelids, is also a possible treatment option, and has improved symptoms in 75 to 85 percent of people with blepharospasm.
There are some alternatives treatments, such as biofeedback, nutritional therapy, acupuncture, chiropractic, hypnosis, but the benefits of these alternatives therapies have not been proven.
The National Institute of Neurological Disorder and Stroke, (NINDS), supports a large program of research on disorders of the nervous system, including BEB, and most of the research is aimed at increasing understanding of these disorders, and trying to find ways to prevent, treat and cure them.
You can learn about clinical trials on blepharospasm, by visiting:
ClinicalTrials.com
and also consult the following organizations:
Benign Essential Blepharospasm Research Foundation:
http://www.blepharospasm.org
and
Dystonia Medical Research Foundation
http://www.dystonia-foundation.org
Resource:
National Institutes of Health , ( NIH), National Eye Institute , ( NEI), National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).
© 2009 Christiane Tourtet
The majority of people develop blepharospasm , suddenly, without any warning symptoms. It may start with eye irritation, and a gradual increase in blinking. It is a form of dystonia, which is a movement disorder in which muscle contractions cause twitching or repetitive movements, and sustained eye closure. Other symptoms may include involuntary squinting or winking of one or both eyes, light sensitivity and increasing difficulty in keeping the eyes open. Usually, the spasms occur during the day, disappear during sleep, and reappear after waking. The spasms may intensify as the condition progresses, forcing the eyelids to remain closed for quite long periods of time, and thus, causing functional blindness, or visual disturbance. It is important to realize that the blindness is not caused by a dysfunction of the eyes but solely by the uncontrollable closing of the eyelids. Facial spasms may develop as well.
As of now, there is no successful cure for blepharospasm, but there are several treatment options that can reduce its severity. Medications taken by mouth, are available but usually produce short term relief, can have quite unpredictable results, and have a tendency to be helpful only in 15 percent of the cases. In the United states and Canada , the injection of Botox into the muscles of the eyelids is an approved treatment for blepharospasm, as the
bacterium Clostridium botulinum, paralyses the muscles of the eyelids. Most people with BEB experience substantial relief of symptoms, however , some may experience side effects, such as blurred or double vision, eye dryness,
drooping eyelids, but usually these side effects are temporary.
A surgical procedure, called, Myectomy, to remove some of the muscles and nerves of the eyelids, is also a possible treatment option, and has improved symptoms in 75 to 85 percent of people with blepharospasm.
There are some alternatives treatments, such as biofeedback, nutritional therapy, acupuncture, chiropractic, hypnosis, but the benefits of these alternatives therapies have not been proven.
The National Institute of Neurological Disorder and Stroke, (NINDS), supports a large program of research on disorders of the nervous system, including BEB, and most of the research is aimed at increasing understanding of these disorders, and trying to find ways to prevent, treat and cure them.
You can learn about clinical trials on blepharospasm, by visiting:
ClinicalTrials.com
and also consult the following organizations:
Benign Essential Blepharospasm Research Foundation:
http://www.blepharospasm.org
and
Dystonia Medical Research Foundation
http://www.dystonia-foundation.org
Resource:
National Institutes of Health , ( NIH), National Eye Institute , ( NEI), National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).
© 2009 Christiane Tourtet
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