Dystonia can affect any part of the body including the arms and legs, trunk, neck, eyelids, face, or vocal cords. It is the third most common movement disorder after Parkinson's Disease and Tremor, affecting more than 300,000 people in North America. Dystonia does not discriminate - affecting all races and ethnic groups. More BEB Information Websites 1 Blepharospasm is a focal dystonia characterized by increased blinking and involuntary closing of the eyes. People with blepharospasm have normal vision.
Visual disturbance is due solely to the forced closure of the eyelids.
In the early stages it may only occur with specific precipitating stressors, such as bright lights, fatigue, and emotional tension. It is almost always present in both eyes. In such cases, spasms of the eyelids are accompanied by jaw clenching or mouth opening, grimacing, and tongue protrusion. For causes, treatments, research information, etc. The movements may be sustained or jerky.