[Treatment of blepharospasm and facial hemispasm by injection of botulinum toxin]

13 patients with hemifacial spasm and 19 patients with blepharospasm (essential blepharospasm or Meige syndrome) were treated with injection of botulinum A toxin in the eyelids. The effectiveness of this therapy is constant and the treatment offers relief to almost all patients. The response times for repeated treatment was 6 months for blepharospasm and 7 months for hemifacial spasm. Repeated injections were performed in several patients and gave the same improvement. Transient ptosis or diplopia were observed in 11 patients. Possible systemic side effects (respiratory trouble) were documented in two patients. Botulinum toxin injection is an effective treatment but the relief is usually temporary and repeated treatments are necessary.