DEAR DR. GOTT:
As an avid fan of your column, I read with interest the past column from one of your readers who suffers with an “eyelid twitch”. I believe that this individual may suffer a similar problem to what I have lived with for many years. I am now in my mid 60s and after six years of trying to get a proper diagnosis for this condition, I learned that I have hemifacial spasm on my left side.
This condition has been successfully treated by an ophthalmologist with botox injections. I am thrilled to say that I have been mostly spasm free since 1985. I receive injections in and around my left eye and cheek two or three times a year as needed. The treatment has provided me with almost instant relief.
There is a foundation in Beaumont, TX that represents blepharospasm (spasticity and forcible closure of both eyes), hemifacial spasm (similar to the previous but only on one side), Meige’s syndrome (oral facial dystonia) and apraxia of eyelid opening (difficulty opening the eyelid) patients. I would strongly suggest you and your reader contact the Benign Essential Blepharospasm Research Foundation for further information.
It is a storehouse of knowledge and printed information that I believe could be of great interest to anyone suffering with facial spasms, twitching and more. They can be found online at www.Blepharospasm.org.
DEAR READER:
I am printing your letter as a reference for my readers. Facial twitch can have many causes and this organization appears to be a good source of information. Thanks for writing.
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