Treatment FAQ

treatment for blepharospasm and hemifacial spasm when botox does not work

by Dr. Andre Zulauf MD Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Botulinum toxin

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There are different types of botulinum toxin products with different uses. Different brands of this medication deliver different amounts of medication. Your doctor will choose the correct product for you.

type A (Botox, Dysport, Xeomin) is a protein that causes muscle weakness. When it is injected into a specific muscle, it causes the area to relax. Botulinum toxin injections are an effective treatment for different types of muscle spasms including blepharospasm and hemifacial spasm.

Full Answer

What are the treatment options for blepharospasm?

Botulinum toxin type A (Botox , Dysport, Xeomin) is a protein that causes muscle weakness. When it is injected into a specific muscle, it causes the area to relax. Botulinum toxin injections are an effective treatment for different types of muscle spasms including blepharospasm and hemifacial spasm. What should I expect on the day of my injections?

How effective is botulinum toxin for hemifacial spasm?

Dec 09, 2021 · Lolekha P., Choolam A., Kulkantrakorn K. A comparative crossover study on the treatment of hemifacial spasm and blepharospasm: Preseptal and pretarsal botulinum toxin injection techniques. Neurol. Sci. 2017; 38:2031–2036. doi: 10.1007/s10072-017 …

What are the treatment options for hemifacial spasm?

Blepharospasm and Hemifacial Spasm The main objective in the treatment of blepharospasm is to decrease or cease the unwanted, repeated forced closure of the eyelids. This is best achieved by the use of botulinum toxin. In a minority of patients, botulinum toxin is either ineffective or poorly tolerated. In this group of patients, a t …

What is the cause of hemifacial spasm?

The sum of the weekly doses was taken as the individual patient dose and then given at 3-4 monthly intervals as required for the individual patient. Refractory cases of spasm underwent orbicularis muscle reduction. Pretarsal spasm was treated with pretarsal botulinum toxin.

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What happens if Botox doesn't work for blepharospasm?

What if Botox doesn't work? If Botox stops working or isn't effective, oculoplastic surgery is usually the preferred treatment for blepharospasm. The procedure performed is called a myectomy, and involves removal of some of muscles around the eyelid.

How long does Botox take to work for hemifacial spasm?

Patients start showing improvement soon after the injections, with a latency period of 2.6-5.4 days after treatment,[5] and the peak effect comes within 2 weeks. Patient has to repeat injections after 4-6 months.

Can hemifacial spasm be cured permanently?

Hemifacial spasm is a chronic condition that causes involuntary face twitching. There's no cure for hemifacial spasm but most people can find symptom relief through medication, injections or surgery. You can also minimize symptoms by getting plenty of rest and reducing stress.Apr 9, 2021

Is blepharospasm the same as hemifacial spasm?

Blepharospasm is the term used to describe uncontrolled closing of both eyes; it usually does not affect the lower facial muscles. A hemifacial spasm is a condition in which uncontrollable squeezing of facial muscles affects muscles in both the upper and lower parts of only one side of the face.

How effective is Botox for hemifacial spasm?

The outcomes of treatment assessed at 4 weeks after injection classified as excellent (>80% improvement) were found in 845 treatments (96.7%). Most treatments had no complication (91.9%). Ptosis, facial paresis and double vision were mild and transient, lasting 1-4 weeks.

Does Botox Cure blepharospasm?

BOTOX ® has been an effective treatment for Blepharospasm since FDA approval in 1989. BOTOX ® is a prescription medicine that is injected into muscles and used to treat abnormal spasm of the eyelids (Blepharospasm) in people 12 years and older.

What medication is used for hemifacial spasm?

Medication treatment The drugs used to treat hemifacial spasm include carbamazepine, clonazepam, and baclofen, as well as newer anticonvulsive drugs, such as gabapentin.

Can you live with hemifacial spasms?

If you're living with hemifacial spasms, you may feel embarrassed or self-conscious when your facial muscles move involuntarily, and you're likely frustrated that you can't control it when a spasm happens. But don't let a treatable condition diminish your quality of life.

Does hemifacial spasm always worsen?

It's very rare that hemifacial spasm will simply go away on its own. In many cases, it continues to intensify, often becoming worse and involving more and more of the small muscles on the affected side of the face.Mar 17, 2022

Does blepharospasm worsen?

How does blepharospasm affect my body? Symptoms start with uncontrollable eyelid twitching (spasms) that comes and goes. It usually starts gradually and gets worse over time. As the disease progresses, you may experience constant blinking, and the opening between your eyelids may narrow.May 21, 2021

Is there any cure for blepharospasm?

There's no cure for blepharospasm, but there are treatments that can help with your symptoms. Injections. Your eye doctor can inject a medicine called Botox into your eyelid muscles to make them stop twitching. Most people need to get injections every 3 to 4 months.Sep 23, 2020

Does blepharospasm ever go away?

There is no cure for blepharospasm. But there are treatments to ease your symptoms. Some injection-type medicines, such as botulinum toxin (brand name: Botox), can treat muscle conditions. These medicines temporarily weaken the muscles of the eyelids.Oct 5, 2020

What is the treatment for hemifacial spasm?

For most patients, the first-line therapy for hemifacial spasm is periodic injections of botulinum toxin (Botox® or Xeomin®) into the eyelid and facial muscles. This treatment can greatly reduce the symptoms of hemifacial spasm in up to 80-85% of patients. These injections do not provide a permanent cure of the disease, but periodic injections, ...

What is hemifacial spasm?

Hemifacial Spams is a condition of contraction of the muscles of one side of the face, and it typically involves twitching and contraction of the muscles of the eyelids as well as the cheek and perioral area. Hemifacial spasm may be caused by an abnormality along the course of the facial nerve, the nerve that connects the brain to the muscles ...

What causes twitching in the eyelid?

There are a number of disorders that can cause spasms or twitches of the facial muscles. Some of these conditions create a minor nuisance, but others may be debilitating and limit the patient’s activities of daily living. Myokymia is the name given to the condition characterized by mild, intermittent, or isolated twitching of the muscles around one or both of the eyes. Most people have experienced this type of twitching, and it is usually is associated with lack of or disrupted sleep, stressful periods of life, and excessive caffeine intake. Very rarely does this type of twitching become severe enough to need to be treated.#N#Benign Essential Blepharospasm (BEB) is a condition of contraction of the eyelid muscles around both eyes that typically progresses from an occasional and minor nuisance to a constant and uncontrollable inability to stop spasms. If the spasms also occur in the neck and mouth, then it is called Meige syndrome. The underlying causes of BEB are not totally understood. The first line therapy for BEB is periodic injections of botulinum toxin (such as Botox® or Xeomin®) into the eyelid muscles. This treatment can greatly reduce the symptoms of BEB in up to 90% of patients. These injections do not provide a permanent cure of the disease, but periodic injections, typically every 2-4 months, can reduce the symptoms and morbidity associated with the BEB.#N#Hemifacial Spams is a condition of contraction of the muscles of one side of the face, and it typically involves twitching and contraction of the muscles of the eyelids as well as the cheek and perioral area. Hemifacial spasm may be caused by an abnormality along the course of the facial nerve, the nerve that connects the brain to the muscles of the face. Neuroimaging is frequently obtained to make sure that hemifacial spasm is not being caused by a reversible or more worrisome cause occurring near the course of the facial nerve. Hemifacial spasm typically continues even when the patient is asleep. For most patients, the first-line therapy for hemifacial spasm is periodic injections of botulinum toxin (Botox® or Xeomin®) into the eyelid and facial muscles. This treatment can greatly reduce the symptoms of hemifacial spasm in up to 80-85% of patients. These injections do not provide a permanent cure of the disease, but periodic injections, typically every 2-4 months, can reduce the symptoms and morbidity associated with the hemifacial spasm. For some patients in rare circumstances, a neurosurgical procedure is also offered or required, depending on the underlying cause of the hemifacial spasm.

Answer: Botox for Blepharospasm Ineffective?

If the diagnosis of blepharospasm is correct, Botox can be very effective when administered appropriately, but it may not work in every case. Sometimes surgery may be contemplated.

Answer: Botox for blepharospasm

Make certain that you are seeing the correct specialist. You should consult an oculoplastic surgeon for assessment and possible treatment options.

Answer: Botox and Blepharospasm

While Botox can be an effective treatment for some people with Blepharospasms, it is not always the best option. You should follow-up with your treating physician at this point to discuss the situation and other possible options.

Blepharitis

Blepharitis is inflammation of the eyelids. This condition may result in an unstable or oily tear film.

Dry Eye

Dry eye syndrome is an ocular surface condition in which there is a decrease in the quality or quantity of tears, resulting in drying out of the ocular surface causing discomfort, visual disturbance, secondary tearing, or a foreign body sensation.

Meige Syndrome – Oromandibular Dystonia

Meige syndrome is a form of facial dystonia named after Henri Meige. It is commonly referred to as Meige syndrome but properly referred to as oromandibular dystonia or cranial dystonia.

Hemifacial Spasm (HFS)

Hemifacial spasm is a neuromuscular disorder characterized by spasming seen on only one side of the face; this is not dystonia but rather thought to be caused by compression of the facial nerve; treatment is sometimes similar to BEB with botulinum toxin injections; surgery called Microvascular Decompression might relieve symptoms for some patients.

Apraxia

Apraxia of eyelid opening is sometimes present and can complicate the diagnosis and treatment of blepharospasm. It is a neurological condition characterized by difficulty keeping the eyes open because the muscles that open the eyes don’t work, not because of spasms of the muscles that close the eyes.

Photophobia

Photophobia (sensitivity to light) is also a common ailment suffered by blepharospasm patients.

Similar but Unrelated Facial Movement Disorders

There are some disorders that appear similar to blepharospasm, either in appearance or in symptoms, but that is actually not blepharospasm. A few of the more common ones are:

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