15 Dystonia Varieties That Will Spin Your Brain Around

6. Blepharospasm

Blepharospasm refers to an involuntary twitch or spasm of the eyelid. Patients with this condition could experience excessive eyelid blinking, and eyelid fluttering may be present as well. Most cases of this condition are temporary, and symptoms last for a few days before resolving on their own without treatment. In a small percentage of cases, patients could develop chronic, persistent eyelid spasms that disrupt daily life. Sensitivity to bright light and fatigue are common, and the condition could occasionally lead to facial spasms. Blepharospasm is the result of abnormal functioning of the basal ganglia, and the cause of this malfunction is currently unknown. Treatment options for blepharospasm include botulinum toxin injections into the eyelid muscles and surgical treatments such as a myectomy. This procedure removes some of the muscles and nerves of the eyelids, and it improves symptoms in seventy-five to eighty-five percent of individuals with this condition.