Blepharospasm
Abnormal contraction or twitch of the eyelid / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Blepharospasm is a neurological disorder characterized by intermittent, involuntary spasms and contractions of the orbicularis oculi (eyelid) muscles around both eyes.[1][2] These result in abnormal twitching or blinking, and in the extreme, closure of the eyes.
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Blepharospasm | |
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Other names | Eye dystonia, Eye twitching, Eye spasm |
Pronunciation | |
Specialty | Neurology, ophthalmology |
The word blepharospasm 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.
Blepharospasm is one form of a group of movement disorders called dystonia.[2] It 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 may occur as secondary to conditions including other forms of dystonia, other movement disorders notably Parkinson's Disease and tardive dyskinesia, and specific ocular disease or conditions.[1]
Blepharospasm occurs in middle age and is more frequent among women than men. The most common first line treatments are medication and injections of botulinum toxin into the eyelid protractor muscles.