blepharospasm

[ blef-er-uh-spaz-uhm ]

noun

, Pathology.

1. spasmodic winking.

blepharospasm

/ ˈblɛfərəʊˌspæzəm /

noun

1. spasm of the muscle of the eyelids, causing the eyes to shut tightly, either as a response to painful stimuli or occurring as a form of dystonia

Word History and Origins

Origin of blepharospasm¹

First recorded in 1870–75; blepharo- ( def ) + spasm

Word History and Origins

Origin of blepharospasm¹

C19: from Greek blepharo ( n ) eyelid + spasm

Example Sentences

He founded a company, Oculinum, to produce a drug by the same name, which the FDA approved in 1989 for the treatment of strabismus and blepharospasm.

From Washington Post

They concluded that the treatment is generally safe and effective for four neurological conditions: chronic migraine, spasticity in adults, cervical dystonia and blepharospasm.

From US News

Leber has recently joined those cases which are described as blindness through blepharospasm, to amblyopia from disuse.

From Project Gutenberg

Last year she underwent surgery to correct her blepharospasm, a condition causing her eyes to stay shut.

From The Guardian

There is also a condition called blepharospasm in which the main symptom is repetitive, often forceful or spasmodic blinking or closing of the eyes.

From New York Times