title: Side effects of the use of botulinum toxin for treatment of benign essential blepharospasm and hemifacial spasm.
abstract: From April 1983 to April 1988, 381 botulinum toxin injections for lid spasms were administered to 106 patients. Sixty-nine had bilateral blepharospasm and 37 had hemifacial spasm. Of the 381 injections, 308 had been given to patients who returned for follow-up examinations. No systemic effects were noted at any of these visits; all side effects were temporary; there were no serious complications. Ptosis, the most frequently encountered problem, occurred after 26 (8.4%) of the injections. Other complications included: corneal exposure (after eight injections, 2.59%); face droop (after 11 injections, 3.57%); diplopia (after five injections, 1.62%); and subtle visual blurring (after eight injections, 2.59%). One patient noted jaw tenseness, another mentioned tearing, one reported brow droop, and another complained of crossed eyes. Ten injections had minimal effect; in these cases a repeat injection usually was effective. Only four patients chose surgery after beginning injections. We conclude that botulinum toxin injections are a safe, effective means of treating lid spasms.
authors.affiliation: Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine, Canton.
authors.forename: H K
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Kalra
authors.forename: E H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Magoon
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001763:Blepharoptosis / Q000139:chemically induced; D001764:Blepharospasm / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001905:Botulinum Toxins / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004172:Diplopia / Q000139:chemically induced; D015352:Dry Eye Syndromes / Q000139:chemically induced; D005141:Eyelid Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005152:Facial Muscles / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D013035:Spasm / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced
chemical_list: D001905:Botulinum Toxins