Blepharospasm

Operation for Blepharospasm.

BLEPHAROSPASM is an involuntary spasmodic but tonic contraction of the orbicularis oculi that may last a few seconds to a few minutes spaced by periods of relaxation. It tends to become progressive and bilateral and is often associated with spasms of other muscles innervated by the facial nerve. It is difficult to treat and is not subject to spontaneous resolution. The usual medical remedies (d...

Management of Essential Blepharospasm

[Essential blepharospasm: literature review].

Essential blepharospasm is a focal distonia characterized by involuntary, spasmodic, bilateral contractions of eyelid protractors. This is a rare disease, which diagnosis is frequently late and symptoms may progress until functional blindness. In this article, we perform a review and describe the most important features of the disease, including historical aspects, epidemiology, etiology, clini...

Dry eye, blinking, and blepharospasm.

The primary purpose of the eyelids is to ensure corneal integrity. An important component of this protective function is maintaining the corneal tear film. Blink characteristics can determine tear film stability. Increasing blink amplitude thickens the lipid layer that overlies the aqueous layer of the tear film. This thickening reduces evaporation of the aqueous layer. Because each blink refor...

Edrophonium Challenge Test for Blepharospasm

BACKGROUND Blepharospasm is typically diagnosed by excluding any secondary diseases and neuropsychiatric disorders, as specific tests for blepharospasm are currently unavailable. Since anticholinergic agents are used to improve the symptoms of dystonia, we hypothesized that edrophonium chloride, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, may make the symptoms of dystonia more apparent. Therefore, we ex...