Eyelid & Facial Squeezing Disorders

Treatment and Procedures

Many disorders that cause spasms of the face can be treated with Botox® injections, but severe cases of belpharospasm, especially those associated with apraxia of lid opening, require surgical intervention. Myectomy surgery is the procedure of choice for severe squeezing not responding to Botox® injections, although surgery is sometimes needed to correct the associated droopy eyelids and brows and improve the dry eyes by tightening the lower lids.

Blepharospasm (BEB) is bilateral involuntary eyelid spasms, which sometimes affect other facial muscles as well.
Hemifacial spasm (HFS) is involuntary twitches occurring on one side of the face. This can be sometimes caused by compression of the facial nerve (the seventh cranial nerve – responsible for movement of the eyebrows, eyelids and mouth) by tumors or vascular lesions. However, hemifacial spasm is fairly rare and in most patients a cause cannot be identified.
Aberrant regeneration (AR) is similar to hemifacial spasm in that it is usually unilateral and can involve both the upper and the lower face. Occurs after recovery from Bells’ or other forms of facial nerve palsy when the facial nerve function is abnormal with miswiring and excessive stimulation of the facial muscles.