Meige described bilateral facial spasms in 1910 (Meige, Rev Neurol 1910).
Urist brought specific attention to the ocular problem of bilateral blepharospasm in 1957 (Urist, Arch Ophthalmol 1957) and described how, as an alternative to neurectomy, absolute alcohol could be injected over the facial nerve.
- The alcohol was injected anterior to the ear, the O'Brien technique used by cataract surgeons for facial akinesia.
- Absolute alcohol injections produced an effect similar to neurectomy but the nerve recovered, often with aberrancy after about six months.
- Absolute alcohol injections are not currently used in clinical practice.
The association between blepharospasm and Parkinson Disease was recognized as early as 1933 by Parker (Parker, Am J Ophthalmol 1933).