The earliest symptom of BEB is simply an increased blink rate, often exacerbated by bright light. Over time, there is a gradual increase in the strength of the muscle contractions.
Spasms can last anything from seconds to minutes and primarily involve the muscles around the eye but may also involve the eyebrows. Some patients also have problems opening their eyes in the absence of spasm — a condition known as apraxia of eyelid opening. Occasionally, patients develop spasms that spread to the cheeks (Meige’s syndrome) or to the neck (Brueghel’s syndrome).
Generally, the condition worsens over a few years and then stabilises — remission is rare. Spasms can last any time from seconds to minutes and primarily involve the muscles around the eye but may also involve the eyebrows.
Some people find that they are able to ameliorate their symptoms by manoeuvres such as singing, coughing, yawning or applying pressure at the temples. Others find that some activities or environments exacerbate the problem.
Many patients with BEB have dry eye symptoms, discomfort in bright light and crusting or inflammation of the eyelids (blepharitis). If these conditions are treated, the symptoms of BEB may improve.
Sources of information and support include the Dystonia Society and the Benign Essential Blepharospasm Research Foundation (USA).
