- News ›
- What Is A Blepharospasm And When Does It Need Treating?
What Is A Blepharospasm And When Does It Need Treating?
Many people experience a twitch in their eye at some point or another in their lives, and in many cases, the effect is brief, harmless and with a traceable cause.
However, blepharospasm can become a troubling condition that can affect one's ability to achieve everyday tasks or otherwise cause particular discomfort. At its worst, it can even lead to moments when one cannot open one's eyes entirely.
There are certainly times when blepharospasm will need treating, but part of the battle is knowing the cause and knowing whether it is a primary benign essential blepharospasm or a symptom of another condition.
Eye twitches can be caused by a range of different factors, from lifestyle choices to other health conditions. Many people get twitches when they are sleep-deprived, have drunk too much caffeine or are in the middle of a particularly strenuous exercise, and none of them are necessarily causes for concern.
It can also be caused by other eye disorders, neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, certain types of concussion, facial trauma and dysregulation of neurotransmitters.
Finally, certain medications, including those that treat Parkinson’s such as dopamine agonists, antihistamines, and benzodiazepines amongst others, can cause blepharospasm.
People who are susceptible to dry eyes, including those who frequently look at screens or read, might be more susceptible as well.
A benign essential blepharospasm case has causes that are not entirely understood, although given that it often runs in families, there is possibly a genetic component.
One way to tell if it is a primary blepharospasm is that it affects both eyes, whilst other forms of twitching typically affect one eye over the other.
Typically it is seen when someone starts blinking even more as a result of the types of internal and internal stimuli that cause us to blink.
Exposure to bright lights, emotional stress, tiredness and fatigue as well as the wind can cause most people to blink more, and people with benign essential blepharospasm will blink even harder, with it more difficult to keep their eyes open.
At its most severe, it can cause eyes to remain closed for several hours, causing functional blindness even if your eyes and visual centres of your brain work fine.
It is somewhat related to other forms of dystonia and spasms, with the most common connection being Meige syndrome, which also affects the neck, mouth and face.
However, if you are noticing regular intense twitching for a long period of time, with it affecting you on and off for more than two weeks, it is likely time to see a doctor.
Similarly, if your eyelids close completely and you cannot open your eyes, or if the twitching spreads to other parts of the face, it is time to see a doctor to seek out the root cause.
One issue with diagnosis is that there is no test that can determine with certainty that it is benign essential blepharospasm, and typically doctors need to rule out other causes and structural problems.
Doctors will also help find and minimise the root causes such as reducing screen time, easing stress and cutting caffeine, if they are the causes and help.
The two main treatments that are used, however, are Botox injections and a surgical procedure.
Whilst most commonly known as a cosmetic treatment, botulinum toxin was originally used clinically to help relax the muscles in the eye. It was first used for strabismus but has also been used for blepharospasms for the same reason.
This stops them from closing involuntarily and helps people keep their eyes open. Usually, it is a two-minute procedure that involves between three and six injections, lasting about three months.
Alternatively, a protractor myectomy procedure can remove some of the eyelid muscles that cause the eyelid to close. This can be effective, but is typically used as a treatment plan of last resort or if patients want a more permanent option.
However, blepharospasm can become a troubling condition that can affect one's ability to achieve everyday tasks or otherwise cause particular discomfort. At its worst, it can even lead to moments when one cannot open one's eyes entirely.
There are certainly times when blepharospasm will need treating, but part of the battle is knowing the cause and knowing whether it is a primary benign essential blepharospasm or a symptom of another condition.
What Is Blepharospasm?
A blepharospasm is more than an eye twitch, and many neurologists and eye experts will be able to tell the difference between primary and secondary causes.Eye twitches can be caused by a range of different factors, from lifestyle choices to other health conditions. Many people get twitches when they are sleep-deprived, have drunk too much caffeine or are in the middle of a particularly strenuous exercise, and none of them are necessarily causes for concern.
It can also be caused by other eye disorders, neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, certain types of concussion, facial trauma and dysregulation of neurotransmitters.
Finally, certain medications, including those that treat Parkinson’s such as dopamine agonists, antihistamines, and benzodiazepines amongst others, can cause blepharospasm.
People who are susceptible to dry eyes, including those who frequently look at screens or read, might be more susceptible as well.
A benign essential blepharospasm case has causes that are not entirely understood, although given that it often runs in families, there is possibly a genetic component.
One way to tell if it is a primary blepharospasm is that it affects both eyes, whilst other forms of twitching typically affect one eye over the other.
Typically it is seen when someone starts blinking even more as a result of the types of internal and internal stimuli that cause us to blink.
Exposure to bright lights, emotional stress, tiredness and fatigue as well as the wind can cause most people to blink more, and people with benign essential blepharospasm will blink even harder, with it more difficult to keep their eyes open.
At its most severe, it can cause eyes to remain closed for several hours, causing functional blindness even if your eyes and visual centres of your brain work fine.
It is somewhat related to other forms of dystonia and spasms, with the most common connection being Meige syndrome, which also affects the neck, mouth and face.
When Does It Need Treating?
If you are bothered by an eyelid twitch and it is not being caused by an external factor such as sleep deprivation or caffeine, then it is always worth booking an appointment with a neurological specialist to see what they can do.However, if you are noticing regular intense twitching for a long period of time, with it affecting you on and off for more than two weeks, it is likely time to see a doctor.
Similarly, if your eyelids close completely and you cannot open your eyes, or if the twitching spreads to other parts of the face, it is time to see a doctor to seek out the root cause.
One issue with diagnosis is that there is no test that can determine with certainty that it is benign essential blepharospasm, and typically doctors need to rule out other causes and structural problems.
How Is It Treated?
There are a few options when it comes to treatments, including medications, deep brain stimulation and tinted lenses to help with light sensitivity.Doctors will also help find and minimise the root causes such as reducing screen time, easing stress and cutting caffeine, if they are the causes and help.
The two main treatments that are used, however, are Botox injections and a surgical procedure.
Whilst most commonly known as a cosmetic treatment, botulinum toxin was originally used clinically to help relax the muscles in the eye. It was first used for strabismus but has also been used for blepharospasms for the same reason.
This stops them from closing involuntarily and helps people keep their eyes open. Usually, it is a two-minute procedure that involves between three and six injections, lasting about three months.
Alternatively, a protractor myectomy procedure can remove some of the eyelid muscles that cause the eyelid to close. This can be effective, but is typically used as a treatment plan of last resort or if patients want a more permanent option.
