Home > Encyclopedia of Neurological Disorders > Blepharospasm

Definition

Blepharospasm is an involuntary closure of the eyelids.

Description

"Blepharo" refers to the eyelids, and "spasm" to involuntary muscle contraction. In blepharospasm, the eyelids close involuntarily due to an unknown cause within the brain. Blepharospasm is a form of dystonia, a disorder characterized by sustained muscle contraction. The most common form of blepharospasm is called "benign essential blepharospasm," meaning it is not life threatening and is not due to some other identifiable disorder. A condition called hemifacial spasm causes similar symptoms, but affects only one side of the face, and is caused by an irritation of the facial nerve outside of the brain.

Demographics

Blepharospasm is estimated to affect...