Blepharospasm Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options

Blepharospasm is a condition that causes the muscles around your eyes to spasm and contract involuntarily due to an abnormal function in part of the brain that controls them. This can cause your eyelids to twitch or close or open abnormally. It can be quite painful and a frustrating experience overall.

Blepharospasm can become a chronic issue and affect a person’s ability to see and limit their ability to perform daily tasks. Let’s talk more about blepharospasm, its causes, symptoms, and treatment options, and where in Farmington Hills you can go to receive the appropriate care.

What Causes Blepharospasm?

Blepharospasm has many different causes and can be potentially caused by any one of the following:

• Dry eyes: This is a common cause of mild to moderate blepharospasm. Dry eyes can be caused by environmental factors (such as wind or smoke), certain medications, or medical conditions (such as Sjogren’s syndrome).
• Medications: Certain medications such as those used to treat Parkinson’s disease may cause blepharospasm.
• Medical conditions: General dystonia, Miege syndrome, Tardive dyskinesia, and Wilson’s disease can cause blepharospasm. Blepharospasm can also be triggered by neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease and Tourette syndrome.

It is believed that blepharospasm is genetic and certain factors can exacerbate it, such as fatigue, stress, and too much caffeine.

What Are the Symptoms of Blepharospasm?

The most common symptoms of blepharospasm are:

• Frequent blinking
• A feeling of tightness and discomfort in the eyelids
• The eyelids completely closing and difficulty in opening them
• Dry eyes
• Narrowing of the eyes
• Eye irritation and tiredness

What Treatments Are Available for Blepharospasm?

Several treatments are available for blepharospasm, including:

• There are some drugs that block involuntary muscle movement.
• Botulinum toxin injections. Botulinum toxin is a neurotoxin that can be injected into the muscles around the eye to help relax and weaken the muscles and reduce spasms.
• Surgery (myectomy) is typically reserved for more severe cases of blepharospasm and involves cutting or disconnecting the overactive muscles that are causing the spasms.

Since blepharospasm is a rare condition, you should seek out a specialist for your or your loved one’s treatment. A neurologist is most qualified to treat brain and muscle disorders, and you should seek a neurologist in Farmington Hills. Patients should also provide their doctor with a detailed medical history to help with a doctor’s evaluation.

Blepharospasm Treatment in Farmington Hills, Novi, and Howell, MI

The board-certified neurologists at Associates in Neurology are dedicated to the treatment of brain and spine disorders and helping improve a patient’s symptoms and quality of life. Blepharospasm is a common symptom of patients with Parkinson’s disease, along with many others, which our doctors are highly experienced in treating. We provide caring and compassionate care and believe in treating patients as unique individuals.

Associates in Neurology has several conveniently located neurology clinics in the greater Detroit area, including Farmington Hills, Novi, and Howell. To schedule an appointment with one of our neurologists, call our office today at (248) 478-5512 or use our convenient online request form.