Efficacy of a Non-invasive Cosmetic Forcible Trick Treatment for Blepharospasm: Increase in Quality of Life Due to Use of Ultra-thin Adhesive Tape

Abstract

Purpose: To provide a novel non-invasive treatment for blepharospasm, we developed an ultra-thin adhesive plaster that can improve narrowing of lid fissure that causes blepharoptosis by acting as a type of geste antagoniste/sensory trick known as a forcible trick. The tape was also developed to cover skin irregularities, but here we only report its outcome for quality of life in blepharospasm patients.

Patients and methods: Subjects consisted of 131 patients being treated for blepharospasm. Tape was attached to the forehead, upper parts of the brows, and other facial areas. Patient satisfaction with appearance was surveyed before, immediately after, and 3 weeks after the treatment using a visual analog scale as well as before and 3 weeks after the treatment using the WHO QOL-26.

Results: Survey results 3 weeks post-treatment were obtained from 69 out of 131 subjects. The mean visual analog scale score decreased from 78.6 at baseline to 22.3 immediately after treatment and to 48.8 3 weeks post-treatment. There was a significant increase in the mean WHO QOL-26 scores of the overall and physical domains. In addition, photophobia and patient satisfaction with their physical appearance improved.

Conclusion: The ultra-thin adhesive tape prolongs the forcible trick effect to serve as a non-invasive treatment option for blepharospasm. The tape can be applied directly by the patient. It can also be combined with invasive treatments such as botulinum toxin type A injections and oral medications. We proposed the tape as a new symptomatic treatment for blepharospasm.