Symptom 8: Difficulty Keeping Eyes Open
A prevalent symptom of blepharospasm is difficulty keeping the eyes open. This issue arises from the involuntary muscle contractions forcing the eyes to close, making it challenging to maintain open eyes, particularly during tasks requiring extended focus.
Activities such as reading, watching TV, driving, or any task requiring continuous visual attention can become challenging when struggling to keep the eyes open. The symptom can also pose a safety risk during activities like cooking or navigating unfamiliar environments.
Frequently half-closed eyes may be misunderstood as fatigue, disinterest, or even rudeness during social interactions. These misconceptions can lead to discomfort in social scenarios, potentially leading to anxiety or withdrawal from social engagements.
Difficulty keeping the eyes open is a significant symptom of blepharospasm. When this symptom appears alongside others such as facial spasms, light sensitivity, and involuntary eye closure, it can strongly suggest the presence of blepharospasm.(8)