blepharospasm: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Rare/Very LowTechnical/Medical
Quick answer
What does “blepharospasm” mean?
An involuntary, sustained, forceful closing of the eyelids.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An involuntary, sustained, forceful closing of the eyelids.
A focal dystonia (movement disorder) characterized by excessive, uncontrollable blinking or forced closure of the eyes, which can be idiopathic or secondary to other conditions.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling and pronunciation are consistent.
Connotations
Purely medical/clinical in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally rare in both, used exclusively in medical contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “blepharospasm” in a Sentence
Patient [experiences/suffers from/has] blepharospasm.Blepharospasm [is treated/responds to] [botulinum toxin injections].The [etiology/cause] of blepharospasm is [often unknown/related to...].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “blepharospasm” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The patient's eyes began to blepharospasm uncontrollably during the consultation.
- Her eyelids blepharospasmed whenever she was exposed to bright light.
American English
- The patient's eyes began to blepharospasm uncontrollably during the consult.
- His eyelids blepharospasmed under stress.
adverb
British English
- The eyelids closed blepharospastically.
American English
- The eyelids closed blepharospastically.
adjective
British English
- She presented with a blepharospastic condition.
- The blepharospasm symptoms were debilitating.
American English
- She presented with a blepharospastic condition.
- The blepharospasm symptoms were disabling.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in medical and neuroscience papers, lectures, and case studies.
Everyday
Extremely unlikely. A layperson would describe the symptoms, not name the condition.
Technical
Primary context. Found in neurology, ophthalmology, and clinical notes.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “blepharospasm”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “blepharospasm”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “blepharospasm”
- Misspelling as 'blepharospazm' or 'blepharospasam'.
- Using it to describe a simple, momentary twitch (which is a myokymia).
- Pronouncing the 'ph' as /f/ followed by a hard /r/ instead of the smoother /fər/ syllable.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While both involve involuntary movements, a tic is often suppressible and has a psychological urge component. Blepharospasm is a neurological movement disorder (dystonia) involving sustained muscle contractions.
There is no definitive cure for essential blepharospasm, but its symptoms can be very effectively managed in most patients, primarily through regular botulinum toxin (Botox) injections.
In most cases ('essential blepharospasm'), the exact cause is unknown (idiopathic). It is thought to involve malfunctioning circuits in the brain's basal ganglia. It can sometimes be secondary to other conditions like dry eyes, neurological diseases, or medication side effects.
No, it is quite rare. The estimated incidence is around 5 in 100,000 people, with onset typically occurring in middle age, and it is more common in women than men.
An involuntary, sustained, forceful closing of the eyelids.
Blepharospasm is usually technical/medical in register.
Blepharospasm: in British English it is pronounced /ˈblɛf.ər.əʊˌspæz.əm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈblɛf.ər.oʊˌspæz.əm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: BLEPHARO- (eyelid, from Greek *blepharon*) + -SPASM (sudden involuntary contraction). Imagine your eyelids having a spasm.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE EYELIDS ARE REBELLIOUS SERVANTS (acting against one's will).
Practice
Quiz
Blepharospasm is primarily classified as a type of: