Motor vehicle accidents and injuries in patients with idiopathic blepharospasm

Blepharospasm can cause transient functional blindness that may cause catastrophic traffic accidents.

Sixty-six patients in southern Taiwan with idiopathic blepharospasm were enrolled. The incidence of and injuries from traffic accidents from the onset of blepharospasm symptoms to the first injection of botulinum toxin were analyzed. Data were collected from medical records and face-to-face interviews with patients and their families.

Twenty-six patients (39.4%) had traffic accidents (21 motorcycle; 5 car). There were 5 incapacitating motorcycle injuries: 1 cervical spine injury with quadriparesis, 1 blunt abdominal injury with internal bleeding, 2 broken limbs, and 1 ligament rupture; 1 incapacitating car injury: broken limb of other person; and 11 non-incapacitating motorcycle injuries (abrasions, bruises, and minor lacerations). Nine patients were uninjured.

Blepharospasm caused incapacitating injuries for motorcyclists themselves and another person in a car accident. Patients with untreated blepharospasm should avoid riding motorcycles and driving cars.