Long-Term Effect of Botulinum Toxin in the Treatment of Benign Essential Blepharospasm and Hemifacial Spasm

Abstract

Objectives: In this study, we evaluated the long-term effects of botulinum toxin A (BTA) in patients diagnosed with benign essential blepharospasm (BEB) and hemifacial spasm (HFS) comparing the drug dose in early and late periods and mean duration of relief. Materials and Methods: The records of patients who were treated with BTA for BEB and HFS were analyzed retrospectively. The patients who had <10 injections and did not attend the follow-up examinations were excluded from the study. The first and last 5 injection doses and the mean duration of relief in 12 patients were compared between the groups. Results: Of the 12 patients, 6 (4 females, 2 males) had treatment for BEB and 6 (5 females, 1 male) for HFS. The mean follow-up was 66.17 months for all patients, 51.83 months in the BEB group and 90.33 months in the HFS group. Average treatment dose was 40.79 U for BEB group and 29.07 U for HFS group. Mean duration of relief time was 16.1 weeks after the first 5 injections and 18.9 weeks after the last 5 injections (p=0.172). In HFS group, mean duration of relief time was 23.6 weeks after the first 5 injections and 23.0 weeks after the last 5 injections (p=0.463). In BEB group, mean duration of relief after the last 5 injections was increased by 2.7 weeks compared with the first 5 injections. Conclusion: BTA injection is a safe and effective method in the treatment of BEB and HFS. With similar injection doses in long-term, the mean duration of relief time after treatment was unchanged in the HFS group and was increased in the BEB group, although the difference was not statistically significant. (Turk J Ophthalmol 2015; 45: 9-13)