As most people develop blepharospasm without the early warning signs, the following facts about eyelid spasms may just help you figure out if you are affected with the condition or not.
Blepharospasm Defined
“Blepharo” is a Greek word which means “eyelids”. By and large, blepharospasm involves the abnormal and involuntary blinking (spasms) of the eyelids. As mentioned earlier, it is relatively harmless but could prove to be bothersome and inconvenient for affected individuals.
Causes, Symptoms and Diagnosis
Your basal ganglion is a group of neurons in your brain which is responsible for several motor functions including control of your eyelid muscles. Abnormal function of the basal ganglia is often linked to occurrence of blepharospasm. However, what triggers the basal ganglion to act in an abnormal manner is still unknown. Heredity could play a role in blepharospasm.
Early symptoms of blepharospasm may be not noticeable until it progresses into gradual increase of eye irritation and constant blinking. Some affected individuals experience sensitivity to light, emotional tension and chronic fatigue. Severe symptoms include spasms of the facial and neck muscles.
While early diagnosis is possible, the rarity of the earlier symptoms often lead to misdiagnosis such as dry eye syndrome or certain allergies.
Treatment
Currently, there is no exact cure for blepharospasm. The Fillmore Eye Clinic utilizes injections of the Botulinum toxin into the eyelid muscles to treat eyelid spasms. Botox has been approved, both in the U.S. and Canada, in treating eyelids spasms.
Other treatment options include medications and surgery such as myectomy, removal of certain muscles and nerves.
For more information on treating eyelid spasms with Botox, we invite you to get in touch with Dr. Fillmore and the rest of the Fillmore Eye Clinic team. We provide state-of-the-art eye care complemented with highly experienced doctors and a warm, comfortable atmosphere. We also offer a variety of quality ophthalmological services, ranging from surgery to vision therapies. Call us today for a personal consultation at 1-800-323-4764 or fill out this contact form.
