Eyelid myoclonia with absences in three subjects with mental retardation

Eyelid myoclonia with absences is a rare epileptic syndrome, characterized by eyelid myoclonia, absences, and photosensitivity. On the basis of its clinical and EEG features, this syndrome has been classified as a specific new entity among the idiopathic generalized epilepsies. We report three subjects, aged 4, 16, and 31 years, respectively, with eyelid myoclonia, and absences, mental retardation and other abnormalities of the central nervous system. Our findings suggest that, at least in some cases, eyelid myoclonia and absences can represent a peculiar phenomenon of symptomatic epilepsies.