Dr. John Burroughs trained as an ophthalmologist treating many patients with blepharospasm, which is a disorder of functional blindness secondary to involuntary, uncontrollable eyelid spasms. After completing oculofacial plastic surgery fellowship training, he has become a referral source for the southern Colorado region for patients with this disorder. Some of these patients also have a variant of apraxia of eyelid opening, wherein they struggle to open their eyes even between the spasms. This pseudo-apraxia of eyelid opening can also cause considerable trouble for these patients while they try to read, drive, watch TV, and use a computer etc. Some patients learn facial muscle “tricks” that will break the cycle temporarily. Myectomy (muscle removal) surgery can also be extremely helpful for true wrinkle blocker failures for this condition. Many wrinkle blocker failure patients with these spasms and difficulties of opening their eyelids are because of spasming of the eyelid muscles (orbicularis) portion right along the eyelashes. Wrinkle blocker placed in this area can provide tremendous relief in these situations.
Many of Dr. Burroughs’ patients that have failed wrinkle blocker elsewhere have had outstanding success following proper wrinkle blocker placement in these areas. Dr. Burroughs and colleagues also conducted a study ( Pretarsal Botulinum Toxin For Blepharospasm Associated Pseudo-apraxia- Is Ptosis a Real Concern_ Online Version ) that showed the risk of developing ptosis (drooping of the eyelid margin) is remarkably low. Dr. John Burroughs has been recognized not only as a local expert for these patients, but has been invited to speak at national symposia on blepharospasm treatments. Helping blepharospasm patients is one of the most gratifying parts of his practice because it literally helps patients, who can’t function, to be able to resume many normal activities like reading and being able to work and drive.