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Eyelid: blepharospasm
Synonym(s): Involuntary closure of the eyelids
Introduction
- Cause: blepharospasm can be the clinical sign of many ophthalmological diseases, blepharitis, conjunctivitis, dacryocystitis, keratitis, corneal ulcers, and the foreign body presence included. Eyelid closure can be also seen in some cases of facial abscesses, skin tumors and eyelid dermatitis.
- Signs: complete or partial eyelid closure. Epiphora can be present.
- Diagnosis: complete ophthalmological examination, fluorescein staining included, skin scrape bacteriology, radiography.
- Treatment: depends on the cause.
- Prognosis: depends on the cause.
Acute presentation
- Eyelid closure, epiphora Eye: epiphora can be present.
Geographic incidence
- Myxomatosis Myxomatosis endemic in wild rabbits in Europe, Australia and in cottontails in Western USA.
Age predisposition
- Dacryocystitis Eye: dacryocystitis is more common in older rabbits with dental disease.
Public health considerations
- Dermatophyte infection of the eyelids can be transmissible to humans Ringworm.
Cost considerations
- Foreign body removal, local antibiotics and local anti-inflammatory drugs relatively cheap.
- More expensive if hospitalization and/or other examinations are required (eg bacteriology and antibiotic sensitivity, radiography Radiography: skull (basic), computed tomography Computed tomography) and if associated with other disorders (odontogenic abscess
).
Pathogenesis
Etiology
- Eyelid skin inflammation:
- Dermatophytosis Ringworm, eg Trichophyton spp Trichophyton spp, Arthroderma benhamiae, Microsporon canis Microsporum canis.
- Mite infestation (Sarcoptes scabiei, Psoroptes cuniculi general infection) – rare.
- Pyoderma.
- Blepharitis Eyelid: blepharitis:
- Myxomatosis Myxomatosis.
- Treponematosis Spirochetosis.
- Dacryocystitis Eye: dacryocystitis.
- Keratitis/corneal ulcers Eye: keratitis - overview.
- Conjunctivitis Eye: conjunctivitis.
- Foreign body in the conjunctival sac.
- Corneal trauma, and perforation:
- Myxomatosis Myxomatosis.
- Treponematosis Spirochetosis.
- Pyoderma Skin: pyoderma.
- Uveitis Eye: uveitis.
- Entropion Eyelid: entropion.
- Eyelid/ocular trauma.
- Eyelid neoplasia/granuloma.
- Light sensitivity.
Predisposing factors
General
- Any ophthalmic disease associated with pain.
- Dusty environment from hay, straw, sawdust or shavings.
- Ammonia build-up resulting from poor husbandry and inadequate ventilation.
- Fumes released from some types of wood shavings, eg cedar.
Pathophysiology
- Closure of the eyelids associated with pain, contraction of orbicular oculi muscle.
- Reaction to excessive light.
- Anorexia, stress and paralytic ileus due to vision impairment and pain.
Timecourse
- Minutes to weeks.
Epidemiology
- Can spread rapidly in case of myxomatosis Myxomatosis.
Diagnosis
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Treatment
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Prevention
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Outcomes
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Further Reading
Publications
Refereed papers
- Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
- Bedard K M (2019) Ocular Surface Disease of Rabbits. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract 22 (1), 1-14 PubMed.
- Bertagnoli S & Marchandeau S (2015) Myxomatosis. Rev Sci Tech 34 (2), 549-56, 539-47 PubMed.
- Andrew S E (2012) Corneal disease of rabbits. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract 5 (2), 341-356 PubMed.
- Florin M, Rusanen E, Haessig M et al (2009) Clinical presentation, treatment, and outcome of dacryocystitis in rabbits: a retrospective study of 28 cases (2003-2007). Vet Ophthal 12 (6), 350-356 PubMed.
- Wagner F & Fehr M (2007) Common ophthalmic problems in pet rabbits. J Exotic Pet Med 16 (3), 158-167 VetMedResource.
Other sources of information
- Jekl V (2017) Radiography in Pet Rabbits, Ferrets, and Rodents. In: Practical Veterinary Radiography. Eds: Niemec B A, Gawor J, Jekl V. CCR Press, USA. pp 271-346.
- Jekl V, Hauptman K (2017) Diseases of Exotic Companion Mammals - Rabbits. In: Diseases of exotic pet mammals. Eds: Knotek Z et al. Profi Press, Czech. pp 133-174.
- Varga M (2014) Ophthalmic Diseases. In: Textbook of Rabbit Medicine. 2nd edn. Butterworth Heinemann Elsevier, UK. pp 350-366.
- Van der Woerdt (2012) Ophthalmologic Diseases in Small Pet Mammals. In: Ferrets, Rabbits and Rodents Clinical Medicine and Surgery. Eds: Quesenberry K E & Carpenter J W. 3nd edn. Saunders. USA. pp 523-531.
- Williams D (2012) The Rabbit Eye. In: Ophthalmology of Exotic Pets. Eds: William D. Blackwell Publishing, USA. pp 15-55.