From the Guidelines
The medical term for eye muscle spasm is blepharospasm, which involves involuntary contractions of the muscles around the eye, particularly the eyelid muscles. This condition can range from mild, occasional twitching to severe spasms that interfere with vision. For mild cases, no treatment is typically needed as they often resolve on their own within a few days. Reducing stress, getting adequate sleep, and limiting caffeine intake may help. For persistent or severe cases, treatment options include botulinum toxin (Botox) injections into the affected muscles, which typically provide relief for 3-4 months before needing to be repeated, as supported by the most recent study 1. Some key points to consider in the management of blepharospasm include:
- The use of chemodenervation by injection of botulinum toxin into one or more extraocular muscles, as mentioned in 1 and 1.
- The potential for long-term improvement in ocular alignment with periodic injections, as noted in 1.
- The importance of considering the basal ganglia's role in controlling muscle movements, although the exact cause of blepharospasm remains unclear in many cases. Botulinum toxin injections are a recommended treatment option for blepharospasm, providing relief for several months before needing to be repeated, as indicated by the most recent and highest quality study 1.
From the Research
Definition of Blepharospasm
- Blepharospasm is a condition characterized by involuntary spasm of the orbicularis oculi muscle, leading to intermittent or complete closure of the eyelids 2.
- It is also known as essential blepharospasm, a disorder of progressive involuntary spasms of the orbicularis oculi and upper facial muscles 3.
- Primary blepharospasm is an adult-onset focal dystonia characterized by involuntary contractions of the orbicularis oculi muscles 4.
Medical Term for Eye Muscle Spasm
- The medical term for eye muscle spasm is blepharospasm, which literally means spasm of the eyelids 3.
- It is also referred to as benign essential blepharospasm (BEB) or essential blepharospasm 2, 5.
Related Conditions
- Blepharospasm may be associated with other conditions, such as Meige's syndrome, orofacial dystonia, or oromandibular dystonia 3.
- It can also be associated with dystonic, uncontrolled movements in areas outside the facial nerve distribution (segmental cranial dystonia or craniocervical dystonia) 3.
- Hemifacial spasm is another condition that can be related to blepharospasm, characterized by involuntary movements of the facial muscles on one side of the face 6.