Coffee may prevent blepharospasm

An Italian study suggest that people who drink coffee are less likely to develop blepharospasm, an involuntary eye condition which makes the affected blink uncontrollably. Advanced cases of blepharospasm can render individuals functionally blind due to te inability to prevent their eyes from clamping shut.

The study involved a control group of 166 patients with blepharospasm, and two control groups. The participants were recruited from five Italian hospitals and asked questions about their coffee drinking and smoking habits.

The findings, which are published in the Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery and Psychiatry, were inconclusive as to the relationship of smoking and blepharospasm, but strongly suggest coffee as a protective factor.