Clinical classification of blepharospasm

1, primary blepharospasm: due to the orbicularis oculi muscle spasmodic contraction caused by the eyelid is not randomly closed, often bilateral lesions, progressive progress. Most of them are female, and most of them develop above 60 years old. The etiology is not known. The frequency and duration of spasms vary, and in severe cases can cause functional blindness in patients. Most patients’ symptoms stabilize within 3-5 years. 1/3 of patients have associated motor abnormalities, such as: Meige syndrome, essential tremor or Parkinson’s disease. 2, ophthalmopathic blepharospasm: for the over-excitation of the normal protective reflex. It is seen in inverted eyelashes, conjunctivitis, keratitis, and ocular trauma. 3, post-encephalitis blepharospasm: often bilateral, can be very serious. Although it is an involuntary blepharospasm, it can also be caused by voluntary eye closure. 4.Reflex blepharospasm: mainly seen in patients with recent severe hemiplegia. Blepharospasm is usually seen on the non-paralyzed side, manifested by the movement of separating the eyelids to stimulate blepharospasm, and the greater the force of separation, the more severe the spasm. 5, peripheral facial nerve irritation blepharospasm: primary and secondary: ① primary: at the beginning of the disease, the eyelid is slightly twitching. In severe cases, all the facial muscles on one side contract in clonic and tonic contraction, often resulting in eyelid closure and affecting vision. Mostly seen in middle-aged and old women, the cause is unknown. ② secondary: the clinical manifestations are similar to those of primary, generally milder, and the causes include basilar artery aneurysm, rocky bone cone tumor, and epithelial cell tumor in the facial neural tube.