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.

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

Treatment

Prevention

Outcomes