Woman has to lift her eyelids with duct tape because of a rare disease (4 photos)

In May 2023, Tia-Lee Streamer woke up with a drooping eyelid. At the time, she thought it was hay fever. But by December, the Dorset, UK, resident was unable to open either eye. The 20-year-old was referred to a specialist, but doctors were unable to diagnose the condition right away.





Streamer was told she had blepharospasm, an involuntary closure of the eyelids caused by contraction of the orbicularis oculi muscle.



"I know it's a neurological condition, but doctors can't figure out what caused it. I'll have it for the rest of my life, and not knowing the cause is really hard," she says.

There is currently no cure for the condition. However, doctors have found a way to help Streamer with her severe spasms - Botox injections. The Royal Bournemouth Hospital began using the technique in March last year, and since then the patient has been unable to open her eyes without the help of injections.





When the Botox wears off, she tapes her eyelids shut or holds them open with her hands. However, even when the Botox starts to work, sunlight, car headlights, and computer screens can cause Streamer to close her eyes.

“The more often I use Botox, the faster my body gets used to it, and the effect becomes less noticeable,” the British woman shares. “Now I get injections every eight to 10 weeks. It used to be every 12 weeks.”

“And the tape leaves bruises on my eyelids,” she added.



The streamer wanted to become an accountant, but her health prevented her from continuing her studies.

"Honestly, it's terrible. I had everything planned out. I was preparing, saving money for the move, wanting to get married and have children, but all of that was taken away from me."

But the worst thing is the lack of freedom, because she "can't be independent anymore."

"It's like I'm becoming a child again because I can't use a knife and fork and see what I'm doing. And the worst thing is at night, when my eyes just don't open. I have nightmares that a child is lying next to me and crying, and I can’t come to his aid because of my eyes.”

Now Streamer and her doctor continue to select the optimal dose of Botox to alleviate the condition.