Patient Care

Patient Care Collage

 

Patient Care

AIDS-Related Eye Problems

Allergic Conjunctivitis

Amblyopia (lazy eye)

Aniridia

Astigmatism

Bags (fat prolapse)

Blepharitis

Blepharospasm

Cataract

Chalazion

Color Blindness

Conjunctivitis (pink eye)

Diabetic Retinopathy

Double Vision (diplopia)

Dry Eye

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Floaters

Genetic Eye Disorders

Glaucoma

Graves' Disease

Herpes

Hyperopia

Ischemic Optic Neuropathy

Keratitis (corneal infection)

Keratoconus

Low Vision

Lyme Disease

Macular Degeneration

Macular Hole

Melanoma

Migraine (headache)

Myasthenia Gravis

Myopia (nearsightedness)

Nystagmus

Optic Neuritis

Pterygium

Ptosis (drooping eyelid)

Retinal Detachment

Retinitis Pigmentosa

Retinopathy of Prematurity

Shingles

Sports Eye Injuries

Strabismus

Stye

Systemic Disease and the Eye

Tearing

Thyroid Eye Disease

Trauma

Uveitis

Wrinkles


 

Eye Conditions

Blepharospasm

Also called a tic, is the persistent or repetitive involuntary contraction of the orbicularis oculi muscle (the circular muscle around the eye), which produces uncontrolled blinking and squeezing of the eyelids. It is usually bilateral (involving both eyes) and may be accompanied by uncontrollable orofacial and head and neck movements; the spasms disappear during sleep.   It usually occurs in older persons.  It may be due to irritative lesions on the cornea or conjunctiva.  Emotional stress and fatigue make it worse. People with blepharospasm have normal eyes. Visual disturbance is due solely to the forced closure of the eyelids. In severe cases, patients with blepharospasm can be functionally blind because they cannot open their eyes.

Signs and Symptoms

  • Uncontrolled blinking

  • Twitching or closure of eyelids

  • Decreased vision in severe cases

Treatments and Prevention

  • Surgical excision of the orbicularis muscle in severe cases

  • Botulinum Toxin (Botox)

UIC Specialists
Allen Putterman,MD

Treatment Clinic/Service
Oculoplastic Surgery Service

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor.

 

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