Blepharospasm Tools

Blepharospasm is a chronic disorder characterized by too many contractions in the muscles around the eye and nearby facial muscles, leading to involuntary eye closure. This study involves a comprehensive evaluation for patients with blepharospasm, other eye and face disorders, and people without any neurologic or eye or face disorders. It addresses abnormal movements of the muscles around the eye, pain in those muscles, psychological accompaniments, and impact on regular daily life. The evaluation for each participant will be done on a single visit, and it may take up to 1.5 hours to complete. Each participant in this study will be asked to do the following:

• Provide a copy of medical records and provide a medical history relating to the diagnosis of blepharospasm.
• Have an examination by a neurologist or ophthalmologist to reveal the features and extent of dystonia or other eye and face disorders. The examination will be video recorded so it can be reviewed later by different experts.
• Complete some questionnaires about quality of life and psychiatric well being

The doctors will also complete various scales and questionnaires based on the participant's study visit.

BLEPHAROSPASM (BL) GROUP

Inclusion criteria

• Diagnosed with Focal, Multifocal or Segmental Isolated Dystonia with Onset in Adulthood, must include blepharospasm.
• Sufficiently symptomatic at recruitment to ensure that (eye) problems are evident to evaluators.
• Has ability to provide informed consent and follow study directions.

Exclusion criteria

• Evidence of a secondary cause for dystonia as defined as blepharospasm caused by drug exposure, parkinsonism, or stroke.
• Suspected psychogenic movement or eye disorders.
• Has had surgical intervention for blepharospasm or eye problems that may confound interpretations, such as orbital myectomy, blepharoplasty, or deep brain stimulation surgery.
• Is being treated with dopamine receptor antagonists.
• Received BTX injection/botulinum toxin less than 10 weeks prior to study visit.
• Taking any concomitant medications that haven't been at stable doses for at least 1 month prior to study enrollment.
• Has significant medical or neurological conditions that preclude completing the video protocol and questionnaires.
• Has significant physical or other condition that would confound diagnosis or evaluation.

DISEASE CONTROL GROUP:

Inclusion criteria

• Diagnosed with a facial or eye disorder that can be confused with blepharospasm, including, but not limited to, hemifacial spasm, facial tics, psychogenic facial disorders, apraxia, and ptosis due to weakness. It is permissible for these problems to be part of Bell's palsy, myasthenia gravis, or Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP).
• Has no significant dystonia in any body part.
• Sufficiently symptomatic at recruitment to ensure that (eye) problems are evident to evaluators.
• Has ability to provide informed consent and follow study directions.

Exclusion criteria

• Significant dystonia.
• Evidence of secondary blepharospasm as defined as blepharospasm caused by drug exposure or stroke.
• Received BTX injection/botulinum toxin less than 10 weeks prior to study visit.
• Taking any concomitant medications that haven't been at stable doses for at least 1 month prior to study enrollment.
• Unable to provide informed consent and follow study directions.
• Has significant medical or neurological conditions that preclude completing the video protocol and questionnaires.
• Has significant physical or other condition that would confound diagnosis or evaluation.

NORMAL CONTROL GROUP:

Inclusion criteria

• Has no facial or eye problem and no other neurological complaints.

Exclusion criteria

• Has facial or eye problem or other neurological complaints.
• Taking any concomitant medications that haven't been at stable doses for at least 1 month prior to study enrollment.
• Unable to provide informed consent and follow study directions.
• Has significant medical or neurological conditions that preclude completing the video protocol and questionnaires.
• Has significant physical or other condition that would confound diagnosis or evaluation.