EPILEPSY WITH EYELID MYOCLONIA (EEM)

Mandatory seizures

Eyelid myoclonias occur, these are brief, repetitive, often rhythmic, fast (3-6 Hz) myoclonic jerks of the eyelids with simultaneous upward deviation of the eyeballs without/without extension of the head. Seizures are brief but frequent (multiple per day). They are induced by slow eye closure in bright light. During eyelid myoclonia, awareness may be intact or mildly impaired (this may be subtle).

Eyelid myoclonic status epilepticus may occur (seen in up 20% of patients).

May have

• Febrile seizures (seen in 3-13%)
• Generalized tonic-clonic seizures - infrequent but seen in most patients
• Myoclonic seizures
• Typical absence seizures

Exclusionary

• Focal seizures