Hidoc Bulletin

Blepharospasm is a condition where the eyelid muscles contract abnormally. In the USA, about 2000 new individuals get diagnosed with the disease annually. It has been noted that the abnormal electrical activity in the basal ganglia of the brain causes such diseases as this art of the brain helps in controlling the movement. Moreover, some studies suggest that genetics may also play a role in causing blepharospasm in individuals. Basically blepharospasm is benign in nature but there is a high chance of developing severe and chronic eyelid twitching upon long-term suffering from the disease.

The disease can also be associated with some underlying systemic illness. It is basically a form of focal dystonia which leads to episodic closure of the eyelids. At the beginning mild to infrequent spasms are observed which then convert to frequent forceful spasms and then it becomes progressive in nature. Advanced cases may also lead to functional blindness from inability to temporarily open the eyes. There is no such appropriate approach to diagnose the patients, investigations include the twitching or other uncontrollable eyelid movements. In order to treat such cases a conventional line of treatment is developed which include administering periodic injections of Botulinum toxin into the orbicularis oculi muscle. 

Considering homeopathic approach in treating blepharospasm, it has been observed that homeopathic treatment can have promising results in patients through different medicines which include Agaricus, Zincum Met, Physostigma, Euphrasia and Magnesia Phos. A case study is also provided in order to understand how homeopathic medicines played an important role in reducing the spasms of the eyelids in a patient of 84 years old. He is a retired government servant, developed the problem of twitching of the right eye for six months which has become progressive in nature. He is under regular treatment of type II Diabetes Mellitus, Hypertension and Hypothyroid. Further, the history suggests he suffered from Herpes Zoster on the right side of face. The physical and vital examinations showed no abnormalities but the neurological examination revealed early changes of Parkinsonism. The patient is found to have blepharospasm due to being affected by sensory stimuli.

MRI brain reported to be normal with age related cerebral atrophy and the lab investigations also found to be normal including sugar and serum B12 levels. It is expected that the cause of the unilateral Blepharospasm in the patient is because of the delayed effect/ trauma of the nerve fibers innervating the orbicularis oculi and eyelids post herpes zoster infection. Further, bilateral blepharospasm can also be seen in stage 5 of parkinsonism and in diabetic neuropathy. Thus, the treatment of blepharospasms carried out by oral administration of Agaricus muscarine in 30C potency, thrice a day for 15 days and a dose of Lycopodium 1M is also given on the first day as his constitutional medicine. Within a timeframe of 6 months, a 95% reduction of twitching is observed revealing a promising outcome of the homeopathic treatment.