Upper eyelid myectomy in blepharospasm with associated apraxia of lid opening.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the impact of upper eyelid myectomy surgery on blepharospasm with associated apraxia of lid opening (ALO), dry eye, photophobia, and daily functioning in patients who are refractory to botulinum toxin treatment.


METHODS
Noncomparative, consecutive, interventional case series.


METHODS
A retrospective chart review was performed to identify 100 consecutive patients beginning on January 1, 2000, who underwent upper eyelid myectomy surgery for blepharospasm and fulfilled the inclusion criteria. A survey was sent to all patients. Data were entered in an anonymous manner into a spreadsheet and analysis was performed using the Student t test with significance set at P<.05.


RESULTS
Forty-five (88%) patients experienced ALO before surgery, among which 15 (33%) patients stated they were completely cured and 20 (44%) others had more than 50% improvement in ALO with surgery. In 20 of 30 patients who continued botulinum toxin treatment after surgery, the effect lasted longer. Twelve (29%) of 42 patients who experienced dry eyes before surgery improved. Eighteen (41%) of the 44 patients who experienced light sensitivity before surgery improved. Thirty-seven (82%) patients noted their cosmetic appearance to be better after surgery. The cumulative preoperative disability score was 14.11+/-5.78 (59%), whereas the cumulative postoperative disability score was 5.20+/-8.25 (22%; P<.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Upper eyelid myectomy surgery appears to be effective in treating blepharospasm with associated ALO in most patients who are refractory to botulinum toxin injections and can provide improvement in the quality of life.
Georgescu
Dan
D
Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84102, USA.
Vagefi
M Reza
MR
McMullan
Tristan F W
TF
McCann
John D
JD
Anderson
Richard L
RL
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001072:Apraxias / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D001764:Blepharospasm / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005143:Eyelids / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009801:Oculomotor Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome