American Journal of Ophthalmology
Volume 142, Issue 1 , Pages 82-87.e8, July 2006

The Evaluation of Light Sensitivity in Benign Essential Blepharospasm

  • Wesley H. Adams, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, Utah
    • ,
  • Kathleen B. Digre, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, Utah
    • Department of Neurology, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, Utah
    • ,
  • Bhupendra C.K. Patel, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, Utah
    • ,
  • Richard L. Anderson, MD

      Affiliations

    • Center for Facial Appearances, Salt Lake City, Utah
    • ,
  • Judith E.A. Warner, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, Utah
    • Department of Neurology, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, Utah
    • ,
  • Bradley J. Katz, MD, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, Utah
    • Department of Neurology, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, Utah
    • Corresponding Author InformationInquiries to Bradley J. Katz, MD, PhD, John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, 75 North Medical Dr, Salt Lake City, UT 84132;

Accepted 3 February 2006. published online 27 March 2006.

Purpose

To test light sensitivity thresholds rigorously in patients with benign essential blepharospasm (BEB) compared with patients who have known light sensitivity (migraineurs) and to normal control subjects.

Design

Prospective, observational, case control study.

Methods

We recruited a total of 87 subjects into each of three groups: BEB, migraine, and normal control subjects. A modified slit-lamp chin rest, heat shield, light meter, and halogen light that was modulated by a rheostat were used to measure light sensitivity thresholds. Participants were tested without spectacles, with gray-tinted spectacles, and with FL-41–tinted spectacles.

Results

Light discomfort thresholds for subjects with BEB were significantly lower compared with normal control subjects (P ≤ .009) and similar to the migraine group. Both gray and FL-41–tinted lenses improved light sensitivity thresholds in all groups (P ≤ .0005). There was no observed difference in the improvement in light sensitivity when the gray and FL-41–tinted lenses were compared.

Conclusion

Patients with BEB are considerably more sensitive to light than control subjects and as sensitive to light as patients with migraine. Physicians who care for patients with BEB should consider using tinted lenses to help ameliorate symptoms.

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 Supplemental Material available at AJO.com.Supported by National Institutes of Health grant T35 HL07744 (W.H.A.); a grant from the Benign Essential Blepharospasm Research Foundation, Beaumont, Texas (K.B.D., B.J.K.); NIH K23 RR16427 (B.J.K.) and an unrestricted grant to the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences from Research to Prevent Blindness, Inc, New York, New York.We thank Stephen C. Alder, PhD, of the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, for his assistance with statistical analysis of the data.

PII: S0002-9394(06)00263-7

doi:10.1016/j.ajo.2006.02.020

American Journal of Ophthalmology
Volume 142, Issue 1 , Pages 82-87.e8, July 2006

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