Isolated eyelid-opening apraxia: report of a new levodopa-responsive syndrome

Eyelid-opening apraxia (or involuntary levator inhibition) has been described chiefly in the context of basal ganglia disease. We present two novel cases in which apraxia of eyelid opening developed in the absence of any other CNS signs, and which resolved following treatment with levodopa. We suggest that when inability to open the eyes occurs without associated motor impairment, "apraxia" is the correct descriptive term, and a trial of levodopa should be considered.