Remedy for Closure of Eye Muscle

Eyelid closure problems or Apraxia of Lid Opening (ALO) is an abnormality of motor function making moving the eyelid difficult. It is more common in women than men and onset normally occurs in people in their sixties or seventies. It can occur as a result of certain diseases such as Parkinson's Disease or Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) which is one of the most common causes of ALO.

Medical Treatments

• The first line of defense that most medical doctors use for treating Apraxia is Botox injections in the obicularis (muscle in the face that closes the eyelids). The results vary and seem to only improve the condition for a short period of approximately three weeks. One of the prescription drugs used to treat Parkinson's Disease, Levodopa, has also been shown to be effective in the treatment of ALO.

Surgical Remedies

• After exhausting non-invasive treatments that are not producing positive results, physicians will often recommend surgical alternatives. One of the procedures is referred to as frontalis suspension or brow lift. In this procedure, a small incision is made at the crease in the upper eyelid, and the obicularis muscle is removed. Following this procedure, most patients will still require Botox injections.

Alternative Novel Treatments

• The Royal College of Ophthalmologists, United Kingdom, recently submitted a case study to EYE, an online journal that describes a new treatment for ALO using a sclera contact lens. The treatment has reportedly been very successful in providing temporary benefit when used in conjunction with Botox treatments.

Appropriate Action

• Eye apraxia is considered to be a rare and non-life threatening condition. However, the underlying disease that might be causing the eye to close could be potentially terminal and should be taken seriously and addressed with a physician at first sign of the inability to move the eyelid.