Paroxysmal eyelid movements: a confusing feature of generalized photosensitive epilepsy

Persistent, frequent, nonepileptic paroxysmal eyelid movements were observed in 19 children and adults with well-controlled generalized epilepsy.

Patients were identified from five epilepsy centers.

Seventeen patients were female and two male. All had generalized photosensitive epilepsy requiring antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). In two children, paroxysmal eyelid movements began 2 to 4 years before their epilepsy was noted; in the remainder, it was noted when epilepsy was first diagnosed. Age at last follow-up was 8 to 38 years (average 21 years) with average follow-up of 9 years. All patients showed photosensitive generalized spike-wave discharges on EEG. Paroxysmal eyelid movements were a source of diagnostic confusion, but direct examination and video during EEG recording distinguished the attacks from absence seizures. In all cases, the epilepsy is completely or nearly completely controlled with AEDs, but the paroxysmal eyelid movements have not resolved with age. In 12 cases, there was a family history of the eyelid disorder without epilepsy. Videos of patients and an affected parent are available on the Neurology Web site.

There is an association between paroxysmal eyelid movements and photosensitive generalized epilepsy, creating diagnostic confusion.