Benign essential blepharospasm

**Definition:** This is a neurological condition characterised by forcible closure of the eyelids due to involuntary and sustained contraction of the muscles around the eyes.

**Long definition:** This is a focal dystonia-a neurological movement disorder involving involuntary and sustained contractions of the muscles around the eyes. The term essential indicates that the cause is unknown, but fatigue, stress, or an irritant are possible contributing factors. In most cases, symptoms last for a few days then disappear without treatment, but sometimes the twitching is chronic and persistent, causing lifelong challenges. In those rare cases, the symptoms are often severe enough to result in functional blindness.