What is blepharospasm? Blepharospasm is a focal dystonia characterized by an increase in the number of transients (>27 per minute) and persistent involuntary eye closure due to overactivity of the orbicularis oculi muscle. The onset of the disease is usually insidious and the age of onset is more than 50 years old, with a high prevalence in women. A small number of patients have unilateral onset, but almost all patients eventually develop bilateral blepharospasm, and a small number of patients may have facial muscle spasms that manifest as twitching of the corners of the mouth and jaw. How can I find out if I have blepharospasm? The most common symptoms of blepharospasm are increased blinking, photophobia, and paroxysmal difficulty in opening the eyes when gazing. These symptoms are often aggravated by stress, excitement, fatigue and anger, and may be relieved by talking, reading, resting and sleeping. Some patients have sensory trickery in the early stage of the disease, which can be relieved by pulling or pressing on the periocular and maxillofacial areas. Some patients may have psychiatric symptoms, even before the onset of the disease. If you notice any of these symptoms, it may indicate that you have blepharospasm and you should seek medical attention. How is blepharospasm treated? General treatment: For dry eyes and photophobia, wear goggles and avoid bright light stimulation. For those with psychiatric symptoms, take anxiolytics and skeletal muscle relaxants. Botulinum toxin injections: Blepharospasm is one of the clinical indications approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and evidence-based medical evidence recommends Botox as the treatment of choice for blepharospasm. It can significantly improve the symptoms of blepharospasm in over 90% of patients without significant adverse effects. Surgery and others: In some cases where botulinum toxin treatment is ineffective, treatment modalities such as orbital myotomy, transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), and deep brain electrical stimulation (DBS) may be considered.