blepharospasm

Introduction

Spastic eyelid closure.

Etiology

• may be voluntary as in infantile glaucoma
• may have genetic basis

Pathology

• primary focal dystonia affecting the orbicularis oculi muscles

Genetics

• implicated genes
  • DRD5

Clinical manifestations

• usually begins in middle age
• initial symptoms include eye irritation & frequent blinking, progressing to involuntary spasms of eyelid closure

Complications

• in severe cases, can result in functional blindness

Management

• Botox injections
• myectomy
• alternative treatments of unproven benefit
  • biofeedback
  • acupuncture
  • hypnosis
  • chiropractic
  • nutritional therapy

More general terms

• muscle spasm

Database

• OMIM: https://mirror.omim.org/entry/606798