A less common and more persistent condition leading to eyelid twitching is called blepharospasm. This condition can affect one or both eyelids, ranging from infrequent and mild episodes to persistent and severe instances. Blepharospasm is characterised by involuntary blinking or twitching of the eyelids, often occurring without an apparent trigger.

While mild cases of blepharospasm may be possible to live with, severe instances can significantly disrupt daily life, affecting confidence and even causing vision problems. Blepharospasm can affect all genders and ages but tends to be more common in middle-aged females.

Patients presenting with blepharospasm at an optician should always be referred to an oculoplastic specialist for a thorough clinical assessment to rule out any underlying pathology. Following this assessment, a treatment strategy is devised, typically starting with the identification of triggers and non-invasive interventions.

In cases where intervention is necessary, personalised treatment plans involving muscle relaxing injections have proven highly effective in managing and sometimes alleviating blepharospasm. Surgical intervention is reserved for the rare and severe cases of blepharospasm.

Botox is one treatment method for blepharospasms and benefits 95% of patients. Your Eye Doctor injects Botox right into the problem muscles, essentially relaxing them and preventing them from spasming. The Botox treatment results typically last for 3 months. Many patients will need to return for more treatments after that time.

The procedure is done in either our Sandyford or Swords clinics by an Eye doctor. You will be in the clinic for about 60 minutes. You can eat, drink and take your medication as normal.
Your Eye Doctor may treat one or both of your eyes. You will have numbing drops put in your eye(s). After the procedure your vision may be a little blurred so it is best to have someone drive you to the appointment.

You can return to your normal activities 24 hours after the procedure. However, you should avoid swimming, using a sauna, or doing intense exercise during the first 24 hours. It’s also important not to rub your eye for 5 days after the procedure

Most people do not need any eye drops after the procedure. However, you can continue using preservative-free lubricating drops if your eyes feel dry or irritated.