Refractory dry eye disease associated with Meige’s syndrome induced by long-term use of an atypical antipsychotic

Abstract

Abstract Background We report a case of Meige’s syndrome induced by an atypical antipsychotic (blonanserin) that presented with refractory dry eye disease. Case presentation A 37-year-old woman with a 6-month history of foreign body sensation in the eyes and difficulty in opening her eyes was treated at a local clinic for dry eye disease. Despite this treatment, her symptoms did not improve and she was transferred to our attention. Our assessment revealed involuntary movements of her eyelids accompanied by repetitive pursing of her lips. She had been undergoing treatment with blonanserin for 5 years for schizophrenia. She was diagnosed with drug-induced Meige’s syndrome after a psychiatric and neurological consultation. After a 2-month gradual dose reduction and discontinuing blonanserin, involuntary movements of the eyelids with oromandibular dystonia were resolved. Three months after discontinuing blonanserin, there was no recurrence of symptoms, and she had no exacerbation of psychotic symptoms. Conclusions In patients with refractory dry eye disease, especially those with involuntary movements of the eyelids with oromandibular dystonia, it is important to ask about their psychotropic medications and to consider the possibility of drug-induced Meige’s syndrome and discontinuation of medications, if possible.

Keywords

• Meige’s syndrome
• Blepharospasm
• Dry eye disease
• Atypical antipsychotics
• Blonanserin