Merck Manual

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Blepharospasm

By

Richard C. Allen

, MD, PhD, University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School

Reviewed/Revised Feb 2024
View PATIENT EDUCATION

Blepharospasm is spasm of muscles around the eye causing involuntary blinking and eye closing.

Symptoms are involuntary blinking and closing of the eyes; in severe cases, people cannot open their eyes. Spasms may be made worse by fatigue, bright light, and anxiety.

Treatment of blepharospasm involves injecting botulinum toxin type A into the eyelid muscles; treatment must be repeated in most instances. Anxiolytics may help. Surgery to resect the periorbital muscles is also effective but, because of potential complications, is considered only if botulinum toxin is ineffective. Sunglasses help decrease the light sensitivity that may cause or accompany blepharospasm. Temporary relief can also be obtained by alleviating maneuvers such as touching the face, covering the eyes, singing, or yawning (1 Reference Blepharospasm is spasm of muscles around the eye causing involuntary blinking and eye closing. The cause of blepharospasm is most often unknown. It affects women more than men and tends to occur... read more ).

Reference

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NOTE: This is the Professional Version. CONSUMERS: View Consumer Version
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