It typically starts with painless but annoying twitching around one eye.

From Botox to surgery, there are several options for treatment.

This can produce tears.

In some cases, you may feel pain behind the ear and have hearing changes.

For example, hemifacial spasms around the eye can interfere with eyesight by causing the eye to shut involuntarily.

This differentiates it fromblepharospasm, which usually involves twitches with both eyes at the same time.

When hemifacial spasm affects both sides of the face, its called bilateral hemifacial spasm.

When the facial nerve malfunctions or is damaged, it can trigger involuntary facial twitches associated with hemifacial spasms.

Head and neck tumors can also press against the facial nerve and cause involuntary facial twitching or spasms.

That said, in some cases, hemifacial spasm is the first symptom experienced by someone with MS. ## What Triggers the Spasms?

Anyone experiencing symptoms of hemifacial spasm should speak to a healthcare provider immediately.

who specializes innervous systemdisorders like hemifacial spasms.

The first step for getting hemifacial spasm diagnosed is to have aneurological exam.

The second diagnostic step involvesmagnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

The first-line treatment is usually nonsurgical, withBotox (onabotulinumtoxinA)injections into affected facial muscles.

Does Hemifacial Spasm Go Away?

In most cases, hemifacial spasm does not go away.

Surgical treatment for hemifacial spasms involves removing the REZ source of pressure against the facial nerve via neurosurgery.

The prognosis with treatment is good.

With Botox, up to 85% of people have improvement.

With surgery, 90% have improvement.

What medication is used for hemifacial spasms?

For early and mild cases, oral medications like carbamazepine, baclofen, and benzodiazepines were used traditionally.

Botulinum injections can be used as an effective treatment with a success rate of 85% to 95%.

The injections also help to avoid side effects of some oral medications, like extreme fatigue.

Summary

Hemifacial spasm is characterized by involuntary muscle contractions and twitching on one side of the face.

Targeted Botox injections can stop hemifacial spasms for a few months and provide short-term relief.

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