Conditions
Blepharospasm
Blepharospasm (also known as Benign essential blepharospasm) is an abnormal, involuntary blinking or spasm of the eyelids, which typically affects people between the ages of 50 and 70. It can cause uncontrollable blinking and closure of the eyelids. And in extreme cases, someone with blepharospasm may be unable to prevent their eyes from clamping shut.
The condition is associated with an abnormal function of the basal ganglion, which sounds like a race of aliens that Dr Who might one day encounter, but is actually a small area deep within the brain, responsible for controlling the movement of muscles. No cure has yet been found, although Botox (Botulinum toxin) injections into the eyelids is currently the treatment of choice. Understandably, this can be uncomfortable, but it’s a process that needs to be repeated every three months or so. Medical drug therapy or a surgical procedure to remove some of the muscles and nerves of the eyelids, known as a myectomy, are other possible treatment options.
Comments
You can share your experiences and thoughts with other Embarrassing Bodies site-users below. Comments are reviewed before they are published.
Please note: Unfortunately Channel 4 cannot respond to individual inquiries. If you have any concerns, you can check out the Channel 4 Health site or NHS Choices, but ultimately it is always best to check with a health professional.
im 17 and i have a blinking problem? my eyelids dont clamp shut but i bling a lot and with more forse than usual? i seen my gp and they said there is no problem but it makes me realy uncomfortable and i get depresed because of it. its also causing the skin in between my eyes to wrinkle? i was just wondering is there anything at all that i can do???
i get a twitch in my eyelid from time to time. my eyelid doesn't actually close and i dont blink excessively, but my eyelid starts like quivering and i can't control it nor stop it.
I always have a red eye or blood shot eye,I have a lump in my left eye like a scar tissue,which I have already been to the hospital to look at it, but was told it was because I have dry eyes.I asked for help, I was told it was probably a lesion. What is this and what can I do about it? Do I just have to put up with it? It is horrible and as I work with children who notice everything, it can be embarrassing! Give me some advice please. thank you x
sometimes one or both my eyelids clamp shut involuntarily, and I can't stop them but this only happens like once every four months or so…so that is not this condition is it?
Important Notice
The information provided on this website (including any NHS Choices medical information) is for use as information or for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical care by a qualified doctor or other qualified healthcare professional. We do not warrant that any information included within this site will meet your health or medical requirements. This Embarrassing Bodies site does not provide any medical or diagnostic services so you should always check with a health professional if you have any concerns about your health.
If you want to embed our videos in your site, read our embedding T&Cs here