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Medical Forum / General / Vision / December 2004Lower eyelid spasm
About three weeks ago I developed a lower lid spasm (myokymia?) after flying north for a weekend. I wear contact lenses and it seems to have started as an irritation that led to the spasm (although it could have been the other way around). I also travelled the following week and the irritation persisted as well asthe intermittent spasm. After returning home I greatly reduced my lens wear time but the spasm and irritation got worse, peaking on Thanksgiving. Since then I have not worn a lens in the affected eye. The spasm continues but the irritation is much less, although I do have some mild discomfort in the affected eye. The discomfort goes away at night and comes back when I use the eye (with glasses). Some other clues: I have dry eye in the affected eye and have a SmartPlug punctal plug in the lower punctum. When first flying north I experienced some bad sinus pain around the effective eye before landing (I've had this once before with no other effect). The spasms started the next day -- coincidence? My ophthomologist said it's a benign spasm and will eventually go away -- not to worry. She later prescribed an antibiotic ointment for the irritation, which seems to have helped that but not the spams. For the past week I have greatly reduced caffiene intake, started a magnesium and calcium supplement, but have had difficulty getting enough rest. I also have gotten less aerobic exercize than normal due to the travelling and other issues. Questions: Is the spasm causing the irritation and discomfort or vice versa? The spasms did get worse with a contact lens inserted. Could the punctal plug have anything to do with it? Could it have shifted due to flying and is irritating a nerve or muscle? Or could it have migrated totally out and my eye is now dry and that is causing the spasms and discomfort? Is there some other sinus condition (note the pain while flying) that could be causing the spasm? Will the spam just go away like it has in the past (although it lasted 1 or 2 days at most and was not as severe then)? This is a benign condition called blepharospasm. It is generally not related to the eye but is rather a condition affecting the fine muscle fibers in the face which control eyelid movement. There is not much to do about it, as your Ophthalmologist told you. It will eventually go away. Reduced caffeine intake, reduced sympathomimetic drug use (e.g. decongestants like Sudafed, etc), and reduced "stress" are the only practical treatments. Calcium supplements are a reasonable approach as well. Time will heal all! Sometimes blepharospasms last a few weeks to a few months. I think your contact lens irritation is a separate issue. ============= > About three weeks ago I developed a lower lid spasm (myokymia?) after > flying north for a weekend. I wear contact lenses and it seems to have [quoted text clipped - 40 lines] > Will the spam just go away like it has in the past (although it lasted 1 > or 2 days at most and was not as severe then)? > fibers in the face which control eyelid movement. There is not much to do > about it, as your Ophthalmologist told you. It will eventually go away. Good. again the professionals do not know what to do. This strange symptoms are very common once one starts the treatment with rest methods. Since this person has no help from conventional medicine, why doesn't he try with rest methods? You may search useful information in the page listed below. http://TheCentralFixation.com The most common reason for eye twitches is STRESS! Take it easy! Lauren the "twitch" is a spasm of the fine muscles due to lack of oxygen from being "tensed up". Once the muscle is rested, receives the appropriate level of oxygen the spasm will slow down and eventually go away. Some patients get relief from hot compresses to increase the vasculature supply. |
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