Dystonia is a disorder of movement which causes involuntarily muscles contraction and spasm in the affected part of the body. Neurological mechanism responsible for muscle relaxation is impaired and does not function properly. Eye dystonia is known as blepharospasm which affects the muscles of the brow and eyelids. The symptoms of this eye condition include involuntary eye closure and increased blinking. This eye condition may be either primary or secondary. Read on to know more about diagnosis and treatment of eye dystonia or blepharospasm.
Diagnosis of Eye Dystonia
The diagnosis of eye dystonia is done on the basis of the affected person’s information. Also, the affected person’s neurological and physical examination is needed for the diagnosis. Although, there is no definite and concrete test available to confirm the diagnosis of blepharospasm. In most of the cases, the assorted laboratory tests yield normal results.
It is very important not to confuse eye dystonia with:
- Hemifacial spasm — This is a non-dystonic condition which involves the muscles present on one side of the face. This often includes the eyelids and occurs due to irritation of facial nerve. The contractions in the muscles are more rapid than those of eye dystonia. This condition is always confined to one side always.
- Blepharitis — An inflammation of the eyelids due to allergies or infection.
- Ptosis — The eyelids droop in this condition which is caused by paralysis or weakness of a levator muscle. This levator muscle is located in the upper eyelid.
Treatment of Eye Dystonia
A regular specified dose of botulinum toxin injections is one of the most effective ways to treat the eye condition, blepharospasm. This is injected into the affected muscles of the eye. The medications used to treat the eye condition include trihexyphenidyl, lorazepam and clonazepam. These are helpful in a few cases.
When medications and botulinum toxin injections are not helpful in certain cases, myectomy surgery is done where part of the muscles are removed. This may help in alleviating the symptoms. Post-surgery, botulinum toxin injections is an optional treatment which may or may not be needed.
