Meige's Syndrome Associated with Neuroleptic Treatment : a Case Report

Meige (1910) described an idiopathic syndrome characterized by blephrospasm, and involuntary movements of the lower face, neck and jaw (Casey, 1980; Tolosa et al., 1979). 3 T h e typical feature of this syndrome is involvement of orbicularis oculi muscle. Dur ing the initial stages an increased rate of blinking is noted, and later in the course of disease uncontrollable eye spasm occurs. T h e spasms assume a tonic form (blephrotonus) and involve rhythmic contractions that obstruct vision. The blephrospasm can last from several seconds to many minutes and can be triggered by an at tempt to look upward or by stress. Since blephrospasm disrupts vision and activities that depend upon vision, such as driving a motor vehicle, the condition causes considerable disability. Recent l i terature (Ananth et al., 1988) reveals that long term neuroleptic therapy can also induce Meige's syndrome.