Blepharospasm
Abnormal contraction or twitch of the eyelid / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Blepharospasm is involuntary contraction of the orbicularis oculi (eyelid) muscle.[1][2] The word is derived from the Greek: βλέφαρον / blepharon, eyelid, and σπασμός / spasmos, spasm, an uncontrolled muscle contraction. The condition should be distinguished from the more common, and milder, involuntary quivering of an eyelid, known as myokymia or fasciculation.
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Blepharospasm | |
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Other names | Eye dystonia, Eye twitching, Eye spasm |
Pronunciation | |
Specialty | Neurology, ophthalmology |
Blepharospasm is a neurological disorder characterized by intermittent, involuntary spasms and contractions of the muscles around both eyes (bilateral). These result in abnormal twitching or blinking, and in the extreme, closure of the eyes.
Blepharospasm is one form of a group of movement disorders called dystonia.[2] The condition occurs in middle age and is more frequent among women than men.
Blepharospasm may be a primary or secondary disorder. The primary disorder is benign essential blepharospasm, in which term the qualifier essential indicates that the cause is unknown. Blepharospasm as a secondary disorder is caused by a disorder of the orofacial muscles, Meige's Syndrome, or specific ocular disease or condition, such as keratopy and irritation.
The most common first line treatments for blepharospasm are medication and injections of botulinum toxin into the eyelid protractor muscles.