High-Density Glasses in Blepharospasm: Influence of Migraine and Early Morning Effects

TL;DR

High-density glasses reduced symptoms in blepharospasm patients, especially those with early morning effects and a history of migraines.

Contribution

Demonstrates the effectiveness of high-density glasses in managing blepharospasm symptoms linked to light sensitivity and migraines.

Findings

More than half of patients reported improvement after using high-density glasses for two months.

Patients with early morning effects showed significantly higher improvement rates.

Migraine history was reported in nearly half of the patients, suggesting a possible link to blepharospasm.

Abstract

Photophobia and somatosensory disorders in patients with benign essential blepharospasm (BEB) are caused by the accumulation of light input to the brain, resulting in persistent eye-opening difficulties. Consecutive patients with photophobia and photosensitivity due to BEB were recruited. The patients were asked to participate in a trial using high-density glasses, with only 1.5% visible light transmittance, produced by Tokai Optical Co. Ltd. (HD glass®) (Aichi, Japan). Patients were instructed to wear glasses 2-3 times per day for 20 min or more in a dimly lit room every day for at least two months. Patients answered a questionnaire on the effects of wearing glasses whilst wearing them (during), approximately 30 min after removing the glasses (after), and two months after the self-trial (two-month). A total of 61 patients (52 women and 9 men) aged 21-81 (51.5±17.4) years were recruited. Early morning effects were identified in 39 patients (64.0%), and a present or previous history of migraine was reported in 29 patients (47.5%). More than half of the patients eventually reported improvement. The improvement rate was significantly higher at all three time points (during, after, and two months) in the group with early morning effects than in the group without early morning effects. Migraines, which are often associated with photophobia, may be a risk factor for BEB. This trial, using high-density glasses to inhibit light input to the brain, proved beneficial, particularly in patients with BEB and early morning effects, increasing their quality of life after two months. However, controlled trials are needed to validate these findings.

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