Introduction to the Blepharospasm Foundation Site

Blepharospasm is a neurological condition characterized by forcible closure of the eyelids. The purpose of the Benign Essential Blepharospasm Research Foundation (BEBRF) is to undertake, promote, develop and carry on the search for the cause and a cure for benign essential blepharospasm and other related disorders and infirmities of the facial musculature. A useful description of the organization, it’s role and structure, can be found in the BEBRF tab on the top navigation bar and in the brochure known as the blue book, available here

Blepharo means "eyelid". Spasm means "uncontrolled muscle contraction". The term blepharospasm ['blef-a-ro-spaz-m] can be applied to any abnormal blinking (excessive eyelid blinking, eyelid spasms, eyelid futtering, eyelid squeezing) resulting from any cause, ranging from dry eyes to Tourette's syndrome to tardive dyskinesia. The blepharospasm referred to here is officially called benign essential blepharospasm (BEB) to distinguish it from the less serious secondary blinking disorders. "Benign" indicates the condition is not life threatening and "essential" is a medical term meaning "of unknown cause". Patients with blepharospasm have normal eyes. The visual disturbance is due solely to the forced closure of the eyelids.