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 cl inical and EEG features, this syndrome has been classified as a specific ne w entity among the idiopathic generalized epilepsies. We report three subje cts, aged 4, 16, and 31 years, respectively, with eyelid myoclonia, and abs ences, mental retardation and other abnormalities of the central nervous sy stem. Our findings suggest that, at least in some cases, eyelid myoclonia a nd absences can represent a peculiar phenomenon of symptomatic epilepsies.