Blepharospasm

[Steve-O56]

Does anyone on here suffer with blepharospasm? I was diagnosed with blepharospasm four years ago after going through a rough couple of years with it. I've been on three monthly visits to the hospital for botox injections around my eyes and it's very hit and miss as to weather it works or not. I was wondering if anyone on here has the same condition and if they have any other treatment or remidies to help control it. According to my consultant botox is the only possible answer and if that doesn't work then i'm stuffed, unfortunately for me i'm already on the maximum allowable dosage and it's still a case of sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Can anyone help?

[968]

Steve-O56 said:

Does anyone on here suffer with blepharospasm? I was diagnosed with blepharospasm four years ago after going through a rough couple of years with it. I've been on three monthly visits to the hospital for botox injections around my eyes and it's very hit and miss as to weather it works or not. I was wondering if anyone on here has the same condition and if they have any other treatment or remidies to help control it. According to my consultant botox is the only possible answer and if that doesn't work then i'm stuffed, unfortunately for me i'm already on the maximum allowable dosage and it's still a case of sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Can anyone help?

Hi. I'm an Ophthalmologist, and have also treated patients with blepharospasm. Your Consultant may be right, some people do get 'tolerant' to the effect of botox. There are some other options though. Firstly there are other formulations of botox. There's botox type b which can be useful if patients have developed a tolerance. Secondly there are surgical options, such as stripping the orbicularis muscle, around the eye, to weaken it. It's not a nice operation, but can be very effective sometimes. It's worth asking your Consultant for an opinion from an oculoplastic surgeon about this.