Quantitative assessment of botulinum toxin injection on blink rate in blepharospasm

Abstract

ABSTRACT Purpose To objectively measure the blink rate in patients with blepharospasm managed by botulinum toxin type-A injections. Methods In this prospective, non-interventional case series, the complete blink rates of subjects were measured before incobotulinumtoxina injection and at follow-up within 4 weeks using slow-motion video-taping. Additionally, subjects graded the frequency of blinking, the severity of light-sensitivity, and the severity and frequency of dry eye symptoms on a categorical visual analog scale. The results are reported as median (range). Results Ten subjects were enrolled, with nine females. The total duration of treatment was 70 (5–116) months with total of 27.5 (2–51) injections. The subjects were grouped as short-time (<52w) or long-time (>52w) treatments. The median age, follow-up time, and injected doses were 73.5 (49–81) years, 21 (14–28) days, and 38 (8–47) units, respectively, with no significant difference between groups. The total complete blinks per minute before incobotulinumtoxina injection was 39 (23–64) which decreased to 18.5 (1–60) at follow-up (p = 0.004). The average change in complete blink rate was −67.4 ± 23.7% in long-time and −45.2 ± 31.2% in short-time groups (mean ± SD, p = 0.01). The total self-graded frequency of blinking and light-sensitivity decreased significantly at follow-up (p = 0.004, p = 0.047, respectively). Similar patterns of subject reported grades were seen in both groups. Conclusion Videotaping is a low-cost method for objective measurement of blink rate in blepharospasm patients after incobotulinumtoxina injection. There was a significant reduction in blink rate after incobotulinumtoxina injections with higher percentage of change in the long-time treatment group. Incobotulinumtoxina injection also significantly improves subjective photophobia.