[Surgical treatment of blepharospasm: results of a study of 138 patients using an improved disability scale].

We applied a new blepharospasm clinical disability scale to the evaluation of blepharospasm surgery in a group of 138 patients. This scale analyzes six parameters of daily life, namely reading, watching television, household tasks, walking, employment, and driving. The patients had either essential blepharospasm or pretarsal dystonia.

Assessment of blepharospasm surgery using an improved disability scale: study of 138 patients.

Purpose: To assess a new scale for grading functional disability in a series of patients operated on for blepharospasm resistant to treatment by botulinum toxin (BT) injections.

Methods: The bicentric study included 138 patients: 80 (58%) with essential blepharospasm; 46 (33%) with apraxia of eyelid opening; and 12 (9%) with intermediate forms. They had undergone orbicularis myectomy (92 cases, 67%), frontalis suspension (31 cases, 22%), or both (15 cases, 11%).