Why does David Frum Keep Winking his left eye?

[Tutankhamun]

The last few times he's appeared on TV he's had that constant involuntary wink in his left eye. Possibly some kind of nerve damage?

[valerief]

1. Itchy contact lens? nt

[Tutankhamun]

4. It's been going on for months though. Again tonight on Lawrence O'Donnell

[hlthe2b]

2. Seems to have a tic....

Those that suffer from them often do so more often when tired... I noticed he'd been on lots of interview shows the past few days...

Eyestrain, allergies, stress, can cause as well. I suspect his is temporary.

[NRaleighLiberal]

3. Grapefruit squirt (for you Seinfeld fans)?...

[Manifestor_of_Light]

5. nerve damage.

I think he's had a minor stroke because the left side of his face sags. It doesn't match the right side.

[hlthe2b]

6. It may be bell's palsy... not all that uncommon after some viral infections

Usually temporary.

[Kceres]

8. My hubby had a terrible episode of Bell's and when he finally re-innervated

his left eye tears when he salivates or eats or just smells food. The eye is also a touch spastic and blinks out of unison with the other. It has never been the same. So could indeed be the case with Frum.

[suston96]

7. Compressed left cranial nerve......

Could be an artery in his brain is compressing his left facial nerve. That is the seventh cranial nerve.

How do I know? I had a 7th cranial nerve compressed on the right side. I had it fixed and the tic - involuntary winking and facial twitch went away.

It was fixed by a neurosurgeon drilling a hole the size of a quarter and going in there and lifting the offending artery. He then insulated the nerve from the artery with foamy material.

You had to ask. So I answered.

Edited: I just thought of the name of the condition: left hemifacial spasm.......

[LarkinVonalt]

9. David Frum facial paralysis

According to Frum's own website, it is facial paralysis stemming from Lyme Disease. From August 2010--

"A health update for those readers who have kindly asked:

I’m recovering nicely from the facial paralysis, although I still scare small children in the street. Doctors have now confirmed Lyme disease as the culprit. Lyme disease affects the nervous system, carried by insects that live normally on deer. The disease is a proliferating scourge, and it’s time for Americans to strike back: Eat venison.

Happily, Lyme disease also yields to treatment, and I’ve regained enough strength that postings will soon return to normal frequency – filed over the next weeks peripatetically from Berlin, rural Poland, London, Warsaw, and Krakow."

[Rhiannon12866]

10. Thanks so much for the explanation...

And welcome to DU! :hi:

[jillan]

11. Thanks - I've just noticed it a few days ago. Welcome to DU!

[laundry_queen]

13. Funny, I was just going to ask

seeing as I'm watching him right now on tv, and have seen him a few times over the last few days and was wondering. Thanks for the explanation.

[Dappleganger]

14. One of my close friends has Lyme disease.

It's completely devastated her life, unfortunately. :(

[Roselma]

12. He announced that he has Bells Palsey.

http://www.frumforum.com/note-to-readers