Characteristics of tear abnormalities associated with benign essential blepharospasm and amelioration by means of botulinum toxin type A treatment

Objective assessment of tear film in blepharospasm, facial hemispam and aberrant regeneration with periocular botulinum toxin-A

PURPOSE

Study the effect on the tear film in blepharospasm (BEB), facial hemispasm (FH), or aberrant regeneration (AR) treated with Botulinum Toxin (BTX-A).

METHODS

A prospective study was used to evaluate the tear film in patients with BEB, FH, or AR treated with BTX-A. Schirmer tests, break-up time (BUT), optical coherence tomography (OCT) meniscus measurement, the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire, and Oxford scale were documented before; 1 month after; and 3 months after BTX-A treatment. Comparisons were made with the Friedman test and Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed rank test was used. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

A total of 35 eyes from 27 patients were included. The mean patient age was 66.81 ± 12.94 years and 18 (66.7%) were female. Ten (37%) patients had BEB, six (22.2%) had FH, and 11 (40.74%) had AR. BTX-A improved the lid spasms. One month after BTX-A, Schirmer tests showed slight increments (Schirmer 1 p = 0.009; Schirmer 2 p = 0.05) and at 3 months they became similar to pre-treatment (p = 0.5). The BUT test was not significantly different at 1 month (p = 0.450) or at 3 months. On OCT 1 month after BTX-A, there was an increase in tear meniscus area (p = 0.004), height (p = 0.007), and depth (p = 0.004), and at 3 months the measurements also became similar to the pre-BTX-A values. No significant changes in the OSDI (p = 0.717) and Oxford scale (p = 0.255).

CONCLUSION

OCT is a good tool to detect the increase in tear meniscus after periocular BTX-A in BEB, FH, and AR.

Effectiveness of 0.3% Hyaluronic Acid Eye Drops for Benign Essential Blepharospasm and Hemifacial Spasm with Botulinum Toxin-induced Dry Eye

Background

This study evaluates the effectiveness of 0.3% hyaluronic acid (HA) eye drops in patients receiving concurrent botulinum toxin (BoNT) injections for benign essential blepharospasm (BEB) or hemifacial spasm (HFS).

Methods

This randomized controlled cross-over trial study involved 14 patients with BEB and 33 patients with HFS randomized into two groups (early treatment and deferred treatment) for 3 months of treatment with 0.3% HA eye drops. Data collected at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months included Blepharospasm Severity Scale (BSS) score in patients with BEB; Samsung Medical Class Grading Scale score in patients with HFS; and dry eye symptoms, lower eyelid tear meniscus height (TMH), tear breakup time (TBUT), and corneal fluorescein staining in both groups.

Results

After 3 months of 0.3% HA instillation, patients with BEB in both groups showed significant improvement in BSS, TMH, TBUT, and the amelioration of subjective dry eye symptoms and corneal staining (P < 0.05). However, discontinuation of 0.3% HA eye drops worsened BSS, TMH, and TBUT. Patients with HFS also experienced significant improvement in Samsung Medical Class score, subjective dry eye symptoms, and objective corneal findings (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Treatment with 0.3% HA eye drops led to significant improvement in spasm severity, and dry eye parameters, after 3 months of instillation in patients with BEB or HFS during concurrent treatment with BoNT injections. The 0.3% HA eye drops were safe and might serve as an add-on treatment for symptom improvement.

Quantitative assessment of botulinum toxin injection on blink rate in blepharospasm

PURPOSE

To objectively measure the blink rate in patients with blepharospasm managed by botulinum toxin type-A injections.

METHODS

In this prospective, non-interventional case series, the complete blink rates of subjects were measured before incobotulinumtoxina injection and at follow-up within 4 weeks using slow-motion video-taping. Additionally, subjects graded the frequency of blinking, the severity of light-sensitivity, and the severity and frequency of dry eye symptoms on a categorical visual analog scale. The results are reported as median (range).

RESULTS

Ten subjects were enrolled, with nine females. The total duration of treatment was 70 (5-116) months with total of 27.5 (2-51) injections. The subjects were grouped as short-time (<52w) or long-time (>52w) treatments. The median age, follow-up time, and injected doses were 73.5 (49-81) years, 21 (14-28) days, and 38 (8-47) units, respectively, with no significant difference between groups. The total complete blinks per minute before incobotulinumtoxina injection was 39 (23-64) which decreased to 18.5 (1-60) at follow-up (p = 0.004). The average change in complete blink rate was -67.4 ± 23.7% in long-time and -45.2 ± 31.2% in short-time groups (mean ± SD, p = 0.01). The total self-graded frequency of blinking and light-sensitivity decreased significantly at follow-up (p = 0.004, p = 0.047, respectively). Similar patterns of subject reported grades were seen in both groups.

CONCLUSION

Videotaping is a low-cost method for objective measurement of blink rate in blepharospasm patients after incobotulinumtoxina injection. There was a significant reduction in blink rate after incobotulinumtoxina injections with higher percentage of change in the long-time treatment group. Incobotulinumtoxina injection also significantly improves subjective photophobia.

Ocular Surface Metrics in Blepharospasm Patients After Treatment With Botulinum Toxin Injections

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to assess blepharospasm patients regarding the effect of botulinum toxin in ocular surface parameters.

METHODS

A prospective study was performed in blepharospasm patients treated with onabotulinumtoxinA. A smartphone (iPhone 6S, Apple) and custom-made software were used to record the eyelid movements for 3 minutes in a standardized manner. Optical coherence tomography of the tear meniscus was used to assess the tear meniscus area. Tear break-up time and the Ocular Surface Disease Index questionnaire were also evaluated. Patients were assessed before and 15 days after botulinum toxin injections.

RESULTS

Forty eyes of 20 patients were evaluated. The frequency of the spontaneous eyelid movements was significantly reduced after treatment (23.18 ± 12.85 movements/min vs. 9.29 ± 6.87 movements/min; p < 0.0001). Significant increases in the tear meniscus area (0.020 ± 0.015 mm 2 vs. 0.057 ± 0.104 mm 2 ; p = 0.01) and in break-up time (4.2 ± 1.2 seconds vs. 5.1 ± 1.3 seconds; p = 0.03) were observed 15 days after treatment. A significant reduction in the Ocular Surface Disease Index (59.05 ± 19.04 vs. 21.2 ± 19.5; p < 0.0001) was also observed.

CONCLUSION

Significant changes in the tear meniscus area, break-up time, and Ocular Surface Disease Index after treatment reflect the effect of botulinum toxin on the lacrimal pump and in the improvement of dry eye symptoms. Reduction of eyelid spasms after treatment in blepharospasm patients was demonstrated using a smartphone and custom-made software. Thus, beyond relieving eyelid spasms, botulinum toxin injections were associated with subjective and objective improvement of dry eye parameters in patients with blepharospasm.

Quantitative evaluation of blinking in blepharospasm using electrooculogram-integrated smart eyeglasses

Smart eyeglasses with an integrated electrooculogram (EOG) device (JINS MEME ES_R^®, JINS Inc.) were evaluated as a quantitative diagnostic tool for blepharospasm. Participants without blepharospasm (n = 21) and patients with blepharospasm (n = 19) undertook two voluntary blinking tests (light and fast) while wearing the smart eyeglasses. Vertical (Vv) and horizontal (Vh) components were extracted from time-series voltage waveforms recorded during 30 s of the blinking tests. Two parameters, the ratio between the maximum and minimum values in the power spectrum (peak-bottom ratio, Fourier transform analysis) and the mean amplitude of the EOG waveform (peak amplitude analysis) were calculated. The mean amplitude of Vh from light and fast blinking was significantly higher in the blepharospasm group than in the control group (P  < 0.05 and P  < 0.05). Similarly, the peak-bottom ratio of Vv from light and fast blinking was significantly lower in the blepharospasm group than in the control group (P  < 0.05 and P  < 0.05). The mean amplitude of Vh and peak-bottom ratio of Vv correlated with the scores determined using the Jankovic rating scale (P  < 0.05 and P  < 0.01). Therefore, these parameters are sufficiently accurate for objective blepharospasm classification and diagnosis.

Botulinum Neurotoxin Type a Injection Combined with Absorbable Punctal Plug Insertion: An Effective Therapy for Blepharospasm Patients with Dry Eye

Blepharospasm patients often have dry eye manifestations. Botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNT-A) injection has been the main management for blepharospasm and absorbable punctal plug (APP) insertion is shown to be effective in the treatment of dry eye. However, there have been no studies investigating the combined treatment of BoNT-A and APP in blepharospasm patients with dry eye. In this retrospective study, 17 blepharospasm patients with dry eye treated by BoNT-A injection and 12 receiving BoNT-A plus APP treatment were enrolled. The efficacy was evaluated according to the Jankovic rating scale, Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), fluorescein staining (FL), fluorescein tear break-up time (FBUT) and Schirmer I test (SIT). Both BoNT-A and BoNT-A+APP treatment effectively reduced the functional impairment of blepharospasm. At baseline, all the patients had high OSDI scores (BoNT-A group: 82.48 ± 7.37, BoNT-A+APP group: 78.82 ± 4.60, p = 0.112), but relatively low degrees of FL (BoNT-A group: 3.18 ± 1.01, BoNT-A+APP group: 3.50 ± 1.24, p = 0.466), FBUT (BoNT-A group: 1.71 ± 0.77, BoNT-A+APP group: 2.17 ± 0.58, p = 0.077) and SIT (BoNT-A group: 2.53 ± 0.99, BoNT-A+APP group: 3.17 ± 1.23, p = 0.153). After treatment, OSDI, FL, FBUT and SIT were all obviously restored in the two groups. When comparing the changing rates, only OSDI (BoNT-A group: -52.23% ± 15.57%, BoNT-A+APP group: -61.84% ± 9.10%, p = 0.047) and FL (BoNT-A group: -22.55% ± 25.98%, BoNT-A+APP group: -41.94% ± 14.46%, p = 0.016) showed significant differences between the two groups. This study suggests that OSDI is not applicable in the diagnosis of dry eye among blepharospasm patients. For blepharospasm patients with severe dry eye symptoms, especially those with fluorescein staining in the cornea, the combined treatment of BoNT-A and APP is more effective than using BoNT-A alone.

Evaluating the topographical measurements and tear function status in patients with hemifacial spasm: A comparative fellow eye study

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of eyelid spasm on corneal and tear film characteristics in patients with hemifacial spasm (HFS) and compare these data with those of the contralateral eyes of the same patients.

METHODS

This prospective study is comprised of 64 eyes of 32 HFS patients, 32 eyes on the spasm side (Group 1) and 32 contralateral eyes (Group 2). Corneal tomographic analyses were performed; corneal power of flat axis (K1) and steep axis (K2), astigmatism and thinnest pachymetry; anterior, posterior and total corneal aberrometry [spherical aberration (SA), vertical coma (vcoma), horizontal coma (hcoma), total higher order aberration (THOA) and total RMS], and corneal densitometry values were evaluated and compared between groups. Tear meniscus height and depth (TMH, TMD) were measured using anterior segment optic coherence tomography. Tear function tests including TMH and TMD, the Schirmer I test, and tear break-up time (TBUT) were compared between the groups.

RESULTS

K1, K2, astigmatism and corneal densitometry values were similar between groups (p > 0.05). Thinnest pachymetry values were significantly thinner on the spasm side (p = 0.040). Anterior and total corneal SA and RMS were significantly higher on the spasm side (p = 0.032, p = 0.005; p = 0.015, p = 0.006, respectively). TMH, TMD and TBUT were significantly lower in Group 1 (p = 0.01, p = 0.02 and p = 0.03, respectively). Schirmer I test values were similar between groups (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

In HFS patients, there are changes in corneal parameters and tear film in the eye on the spasm side compared to unaffected eye.

[Dry eye and qualitative tear alteration in essential blepharospasm]

PURPOSE

We aimed to analyze the tears of patients with Benin Essential Blepharospasm (BEB) to explore possible corneo-conjunctival mechanisms for photophobia, tear deficiency and ocular pain.

METHODS

Using an observational cohort of 42 patients diagnosed with BEB, we performed Schirmer's testing, measurement of tear film pH, tear film protein electrophoresis and conjunctival impression cytology.

RESULTS

Schirmer's testing showed dry eye (8.4±9.7mm) with 71.3% eyes having a Schirmer's score<10mm. Surprisingly, the pH was basic (8.4±0.4) and was improved in patients receiving the standard treatment of quarterly botulinum toxin injections (8.32±0.36 for treated patients vs. 8.74±0.53 for untreated patients; P=0.045). Together, tear protein electrophoresis and conjunctival impression cytology showed conjunctival inflammation associated with BEB.

CONCLUSION

For the first time, this study emphasizes corneo-conjunctival mechanisms to explain the photophobia, dry eye and pain in Benign Essential Blepharospasm. While encouraging, complementary studies remain necessary to evaluate the effect of correcting tear film pH and inflammation on the quality of life of blepharospasm patients.

The Relationship between Subjective Symptoms and Quality of Life in Conjunctivochalasis Patients

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the differences in subjective symptoms between patients with conjunctivochalasis (CCh) and dry eye (DE), and examine the relationship between subjective symptoms and quality of life (QOL). In 75 eyes of 75 CCh patients and 122 eyes of 122 DE patients, 12 subjective symptoms classified into four groups depending on the mechanisms associated with symptoms (ITF: instability of tear film, IF: increased friction, R: reflex, and DTC: delayed tear clearance) were evaluated by use of a visual analogue scale (VAS). Fifteen items related to DE symptoms and their influence on daily life were evaluated by use of the dry eye-related quality-of-life score (DEQS) questionnaire, with overall degree of QOL impairment calculated as a QOL score. The correlation between the Total VAS score and QOL score were evaluated. Between the CCh and DE patients, significant differences in subjective symptoms were found in eye dryness, pain, tearing sensitivity to light, and heavy eyelids, while tearing was higher in CCh. A significant strong correlation was found between QOL score and Total VAS score, ITF, and IF in CCh patients. The QOL of CCh patients is strongly determined by decreased tear-film stability and increased friction during blinking.