Benign Essential Blepharospasm & Hemifacial Spasm
What causes blepharospasm?
Benign Essential Blepharospasm is a focal dystonia, the exact cause of which is unknown.
What are the symptoms of blepharospasm?
Patient suffering from benign essential blepharospasm often report twitching or blinking of both eyelids, sometimes making opening difficult. Exposure to light and dry eyes may trigger the condition. The condition can be debilitating.
What treatment is available?
Treatment involves optimising the ocular surface and managing blepharitis. Patients will often require periorbital injections of Botulinum Toxin (Botox).
What is the recovery?
The injections take approximately 5 minutes to perform and will begin to take effect within 3-4 days.
What are the risks?
The significant risks relevant to you will be discussed in detail at your consultation. The main risks are diplopia (double vision) or ptosis (droopy eyelid). Blepharospasm Australia has a useful website about the condition.
What causes Hemifacial spasm?
Hemifacial spasm is caused by dysfunction of the facial nerve either from compression or conditions which directly affect the facial nerve.
What are the symptoms of Hemifacial Spasm?
Hemifacial spasm often presents with involuntary tonic/clonic movements affecting one side of the face. It may begin in the upper face and spread to the lower face in typical forms and the reverse in atypical forms.
What treatment is available?
Patients will often require periorbital injections of Botulinum Toxin (Botox) to control the movements. In rare situations neurosurgical microvascular decompression may be appropriate.
What is the recovery?
The injections take approximately 5 minutes to perform and will begin to take effect within 3-4 days.
What are the risks?
The significant risks relevant to you will be discussed in detail at your consultation. The main risks are diplopia (double vision) or ptosis (droopy eyelid)
Brisbane Oculoplastics Care
Dr Christopher Stewart offers urgent care and is always ready to have a consultation to discuss your eye care needs.