Gaze-evoked orbicularis oculi myokymia.

The cases of six patients with pronounced, persistent, isolated gaze-evoked orbicularis oculi myokymia (GEOM) discovered fortuitously are described. None had brain-stem lesions, and two had associated, unusual cranial synkinesis (trigeminofacial, hypoglossal-facial, and spinal accessory-facial). Additional features included asymmetric blinking and pseudoblepharoclonus in a third patient and buccopharyngeal synkinesis and post-deglutional tremors in a fourth. Ptosis and pupillary changes were absent. With the possible exception of one case, GEOM seems to be a congenital benign oculofacial synkinesis of brain-stem origin.