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Blepharospasm Research Paper

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Blepharospasm

Blepharospasm is a spasm of the muscles around your eyes (orbicularis oculi). It causes attacks of abnormal and uncontrollable blinking that come and go unpredictably. This type of abnormal muscle movement is called dystonia.

Dystonia usually affects both eyes but does not affect other facial muscles or other parts of the body. Blepharospasm does not cause vision loss or lead to other serious physical problems.
CAUSES

Blepharospasm is caused by an abnormality in a part of your brain called the basal ganglion. The exact cause of the abnormality is not known. Stress, fatigue, eye irritation, or bright light may trigger attacks of blepharospasm.
RISK FACTORS

You may be at greater risk for blepharospasm if you:

Have a family …show more content…

Watering.

Dryness.

Eye muscle pain.

Gritty sensation.

Sensitivity to light.

DIAGNOSIS

Your health care provider may diagnose blepharospasm based on your symptoms and medical history. Your health care provider may also do a physical exam to confirm the diagnosis. There are no blood tests or other tests to help diagnose blepharospasm.
TREATMENT

There is no cure for blepharospasm. Treatments used to manage the condition may include:

Botulinium toxin injections. Botulinium toxin is a substance produced by bacteria that causes muscle paralysis. Injecting this toxin into the muscles around the eye may control blepharospasm for up to three months. Injections are done with a tiny needle. They can be repeated as needed.

Medicines. These include muscle relaxants, sedatives, and medicines called anticholinergics. Treatment with medicine is less successful than injections.

If other treatments have not worked, you may need surgery to remove part of the orbicularis oculi muscles (myectomy).

HOME CARE INSTRUCTIONS

Several home care management strategies may help. You may have to try different techniques to find the ones that work best for you. These may

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