Therapeutic Effect of Botulinum Toxin Injection in Eyelid Myokymia Patients

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate clinical manifestations and effects of botulinum toxin in eyelid myokymia patients. METHODS: Between March 2001 and March 2005, botulinum toxin injection therapy was performed in 12 eyelid myokymia patients. We evaluated duration of disease, systemic disease, drug history, and range, grade, frequency of myokymia at the first visit. Botulinum injections were performed in patients with normal results of blood tests and neuroimaging tests. Improvement of symptoms, duration of effectiveness, and complications were evaluated after the botulinum toxin injection therapies. Data was analyzed with the Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: Improvement of symptoms was noticed in 10 patients (83.3%). Among the 10 patients, 5 patients were decided as cured patients because they did not require any retreatment. Range and grade of myokymia didn't affect on effect of treatment. Pain, edema, excessive tearing, and unnatural face were noticed as complications of treatment, but all complications disappeared 2 weeks after the treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Botulinum toxin injection therapy is noninvasive and effective treatment in benign eyelid myokymia patients without causal neurologic disease.