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Treating eye disorders with Botox

Although Botox has recently enjoyed a surge in popularity as a cosmetic procedure to eliminate frown lines and wrinkles, its original application was as a medical treatment for certain eye disorders. It has been approved by the FDA (the Food and Drug Administration) since the 1980s for use in the treatment of blepharospasm and strabismus.

Blepharospasm is a form of focal dystonia, characteristically afflicting people of the age of 55, which affects the muscles responsible for movement of the eye lid. Involuntary spasms mean the sufferer has little control over the eye lid, and as the condition worsens the frequency and severity of the spasms can increase making it difficult for the patient to open their eye. Typically, both eyes are affected by the condition which can eventually lead to the patient becoming effectively blind.

Botox is derived from a protein found in the botulism toxin and causes minor paralysis in a localised area. It is this quality which makes it effective in treating Blepharospasm. When several Botox injections are administered around the eye area it prevents messages from the brain being relayed to the muscles, causing them to relax. Within 48 hours the patient should see a distinct improvement in their condition, as the number of muscle spasms is greatly decreased.

Strabismus is a misalignment of the eyes. One or both eyes may turn in slightly, either permanently or intermittently. It is estimated that around 5 percent of children are affected by some degree of strabismus. The disorder can also present itself in adulthood as a result of loss of muscle tone, head trauma or disease. As one muscle is generally weak and one over-compensates - causing the eye to turn in and triggering vision problems - Botox can benefit the patient by paralyzing the over compensating muscle. Botox is only offered occasionally as an option for treating children and is generally only considered in cases where surgery as proved ineffective.

Botox is a relatively safe treatment, but if your doctor has suggested it as a treatment for blepharospasm or strabismus then he should make you aware of the risks and potential side effects involved. One potential risk is ptosis, where the administered dose of Botox is too high, causing the eye lid to droop. Superficial punctuate keratitis - where cells on the surface of the cornea die, leading to blurred vision, sensitivity and a blood shot appearance - is also a risk, affecting about 6 percent of patients who undergo Botox to treat blepherospasm. More minor side effects include dry eyes, which are a result of decreased blinking. If the patient has an adverse reaction to Botox they should not have any further injections, and should seek alternative methods of treatment for their eye disorder.

The effects of Botox treatment are temporary, and the injections merely prevent the symptoms rather than curing the disorder. Therefore patients will require repeat injections at intervals of around 3 months.