Years ago, many patients were told that Essential Blepharospasm was caused by psychiatric problems. Now, it is known that this was not true. Yes, blepharospasms are classified by their severity and the extent of the face that is affected. The early symptoms of blepharospasm include occasional, involuntary winking, blinking, or squinting of one or both eyes. It may also manifest itself as an increased difficulty in keeping the eyes open.
Light sensitivity is a common occurrence with blepharospasm patients.
As the condition progresses, the eyelid spasms increase in frequency and severity until they are unremitting, leaving both eyelids clamped shut and the eyebrows pulled down. In some cases, only one eye is affected. The cause of blepharospasm is unknown. Symptoms occur most frequently in persons in their 50s and 60s. Women are three times more likely to have the condition than men.