Smile-wink phenomenon: aggravated narrowing of palpebral fissure by smiling after lenticulocapsular stroke

Abstract

Five patients are described who developed unilateral narrowing of the palpebral fissure that was aggravated by smiling. They had ischaemic lesions involving mainly the contralateral lenticulocapsular area. This rare but distinct symptom may be an action induced focal eyelid dystonia, and could be described as'smile-wink' phenomenon.