The 2022 BEBRF Symposium Is On

depth of injection, number of injections, and the injection pattern. There is a wide variety of injection patterns. A doctor will get comfortable with an injection pattern that works for them. One thing to be aware of is if you inject a muscle enough you temporarily paralyze it which could lead to a certain amount of atrophy, which could diminish the muscle mass, which could lead to changes in injection methods.

Two simple rules: 1. Higher doses of BoNT result in higher efficacy, BUT also result in higher adverse events such as droopy eyelid, double vision, lagphthalmos, and dry eye. 2. Higher volumes of BoNT at each site result in more diffusion, with higher adverse events.

Dr. Bilyk stressed that all FDA-approved BoNTs, especially the three he prefers – Botox, Xeomin, and Dysport – have similar efficacy—one is not better than the other. When it comes to mixing and matching, however, there are important considerations. Botox and Xeomin have a more equivalent ratio 1:1—1.2; Botox/Xeomin to Dysport ratio is higher at 1:3—4, and Dysport may have a wider spread than either Botox or Xeomin. According to Dr. Bilyk, a fourth mix/match option, Myobloc® which is a newer botulinum toxin B, is far too difficult, presenting a Botox to Myobloc ratio of 1:24—100! Dr. Bilyk said his general rule is that switching from Botox to Xeomin is much easier than the others.

Where a doctor injects matters. Studies show that injection in the preseptal region of the Orbicularis Oculi muscle have about an 86% effectiveness rating. However, if you move closer to the lash line and inject in the pretarsal region, the effectiveness rating rises to 96% -- it also leads to longer duration and fewer adverse events.

In conclusion, several adverse but temporary effects were cited ranging from ptosis and dry eyes to blurred vision. Two most common are ptosis (drooping of eyelid) and lagophthalmos or incomplete blink. Dr. Bilyk stressed “everybody gets adverse effects sooner or later and to be careful not to panic—you or family members—they do go away!” His full presentation can be found on our website and is both highly informative and entertaining.

The 2022 BEBRF Symposium is scheduled for October 21 & 22 at the Hilton Phoenix Airport Hotel in Phoenix, AZ. Neurologist Dr. Padma Mahant is the Program Director, and she has put together an educational and enlightening slate of speakers. Please see pages 8 & 9 for speaker information and the Symposium agenda.

The Symposium is BEBRF’s major annual educational event. Many who attend learn useful information for living with their blepharospasm. Friday evening, Oct. 21, BEBRF hosts a Meet and Greet, with delicious appetizers and a cash bar, to give the patients in attendance a chance to meet, share, and socialize with each other. Both the Meet and Greet and the Symposium the next day are free to attend, and the Symposium includes complimentary breakfast and lunch.

At the 2021 Symposium in Philadelphia, BEBRF also put together a Saturday night post-Symposium outing for those who wished to participate, and there will be a similar outing in Phoenix. In addition, BEBRF has negotiated a special room rate for those who come from out of town.

To register for the Meet and Greet go to this web address: https://bebrf .app .neoncrm .com/eventReg .

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To register for the Symposium go to this web address: https://bebrf .app .neoncrm .com/eventReg .

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If you would prefer not to register online, simply call the BEBRF office at 409-832-0788, and the staff will help you register for the Meet and Greet and the Symposium.

If you would like to reserve a hotel room call 480804-6095 (be sure to tell them you are with the BEBRF Symposium) or go to this web address: https://www .

hilton .com/en/attend-my-event/phxahhf-bebrfcc732da0-8afa-4e53-82f7-9b4c8330a925/

All of the above registration/reservation links are available from the BEBRF Website.