Prevalence, indications and demographic characteristics of Botulinum neurotoxin use in a tertiary oculoplastic centre

Over the past 40 years, Botulinum Neurotoxin (BoNT) treatment has been used in many presentations to the hospital eye service. There is little published on its practice in an ophthalmology setting. We aim to report on the prevalence of BoNT use, indications for treatment, age, gender, socioeconomic and ethnic variations observed, and dosages used.

We performed a retrospective cross sectional observation study on the use of botulinum neurotoxin treatment in the oculoplastic department of a busy tertiary centre in the University Hospitals of Leicester, United Kingdom.

The prevalence of BoNT in the service was 13.7 per 100,000 people. Of the 145 cases identified, the commonest indications for treatment were hemifacial spasm (62% of cases) and blepharospasm (29% of cases). Proportionally, twice as many females than males received BoNT (χ² = 17.3, p < 0.0001). For those >30 years of age, the prevalence increased with age with those >90 years having a seven times higher prevalence than the mean. Overall, no significant differences were found in ethnicity and median index of multiple deprivation rank between those with treatment and the general population although specific district council variations were noted.

These findings would assist commissioners in providing adequate resources to meet demand based on the demographics of their local population. Further qualitative and quantitative research is required to enhance our understanding of some of these trends.