Symptoms of Facial Synkinesis
Facial synkinesis is a condition that affects the facial muscles, presenting with a range of symptoms that vary significantly from person to person. The primary characteristic of this condition is involuntary muscle movements. For example, smiling might lead to unintended contractions, such as eye closure. This results in a noticeable facial asymmetry, where one side of the face moves differently from the other, which can hinder the ability to express emotions clearly and perform routine activities.
Let’s take a closer look at the main symptoms:
- Muscle Spasms: These include unexpected movements like closing an eye when smiling or sneering. These contractions occur involuntarily and can be disruptive.
- Facial Asymmetry: The face often appears uneven, with one side moving differently from the other. This disparity can be obvious and affect the overall appearance of the face.
- Difficulty Expressing Emotions: Facial synkinesis impacts the ability to convey emotions through facial expressions and can also affect basic daily functions like speaking and eating, making them more challenging.
- Discomfort: Some individuals experience discomfort or pain due to the unusual muscle contractions that occur in the face.
- Dryness/Tearing in the Eye: When eyelid function is affected by synkinesis, symptoms such as dry eyes or, conversely, increased tear production may appear.