Blepharospasm, Meige syndrome, and hemifacial spasm: treatment with botulinum toxin.

In 34 patients with idiopathic blepharospasm, 5 with Meige syndrome, and 11 with hemifacial spasm, local injection of botulinum toxin gave temporary relief from the involuntary movements of the eyelids. Local ophthalmologic side effects were minimal. There are no known systemic side effects. The procedure had to be repeated every 12 weeks. Tolerance to the toxin did not appear.