What makes my eyelid twitch?
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Dr. George A. Williams of American Academy of Ophthalmology answered:Minor eyelid twitching is common and happens spontaneously. This condition is thought to be related to stress or fatigue. Minor eyelid twitches do not require treatment because they usually disappear on their own. Reducing stress, increasing your amount of sleep, and decreasing caffeine intake may help to relieve eyelid twitches. However, if the twitches become worse, you should have an eye doctor examine your eyes. Any eyelid twitch that travels down the face, involving other facial muscles and causing grimacing, facial twitching, or spasm, should be immediately evaluated by your primary care doctor and an ophthalmologist, as it may represent a neurologic problem.Minor eyelid twitching is common and happens spontaneously. This condition is thought to be related to stress or fatigue. Minor eyelid twitches do not require treatment because they usually disappear on their own. Reducing stress, increasing your... More -
Dr. Angela Mark of NorthShore University HealthSystem answered:Occasional eye twitching of either the lower lid or above the eye is quite common and can be due to many different things. Most commonly fatigue, dry eyes,caffeine, alcohol or stress. From a neurologic perspective, we begin to worry about it being more than benign eye twitches when the eye begins to blink closed fully or the lower face and mouth begin to contract as well (i.e. blepharospasm and hemifacial spasm respectively.)
Occasional eye twitching of either the lower lid or above the eye is quite common and can be due to many different things. Most commonly fatigue, dry eyes,caffeine, alcohol or stress. From a neurologic perspective, we begin to worry about it being... More -
American Academy of Ophthalmology answered:Minor eyelid twitching is common and happens spontaneously. This condition is thought to be related to stress, fatigue or both. Minor eyelid twitches require no treatment as they usually disappear on their own. Reducing stress, increasing your amount of sleep, and decreasing caffeine intake may help to relieve eyelid twitches. However, if the twitches become worse, you should have an ophthalmologist (Eye M.D.) examine your eyes.Minor eyelid twitching is common and happens spontaneously. This condition is thought to be related to stress, fatigue or both. Minor eyelid twitches require no treatment as they usually disappear on their own. Reducing stress, increasing your... More -
Dr. Celeste Robb-Nicholson of Harvard Health Publications answered:It's a common -- and uncommonly distracting -- problem. The twitches are involuntary spasms of the muscles that control the eyelids. These spasms can cause fluttering in part of the eyelid or cause the eyelid to repeatedly close and reopen. The spasms last minutes to hours and may continue intermittently for several days. We don't know what causes them, but many experts believe that fatigue, stress, eyestrain, and caffeine all play some role. More prolonged and severe twitching -- the kind that causes the eyelid to completely close -- may be caused by irritation on the surface of the eye (the cornea) or in tissues lining the eyelids (the conjunctiva).
There are several things you can do to ease the spasms. Close the eye and apply a warm compress -- or try pulling gently on the lid. Get more sleep, and reduce your caffeine and alcohol intake. If the twitching occurs while you're reading or using a computer, relax your eyes occasionally by focusing on something in the distance. If your eyes are dry or irritated, use lubricant eyedrops such as Refresh, Systane, Thera Tears, or Visine Tears.
Most eyelid twitches are harmless and stop within a week or two. If they don't, you should see a clinician for an eye exam. See a clinician even sooner if the twitching completely closes your eye or involves other parts of your face, or if your eyelid is drooping (a sign of weakened muscles) or your eye is red, swollen, or exuding a discharge. These are signs of a possible infection or underlying nerve or muscle condition.
Sometimes even benign eyelid twitches persist, eroding the quality of life. In that case, small injections of botulinum toxin A (Botox) may provide temporary relief. If you decide to try Botox, make sure that the clinician who administers it has expertise in this type of therapy.It's a common -- and uncommonly distracting -- problem. The twitches are involuntary spasms of the muscles that control the eyelids. These spasms can cause fluttering in part of the eyelid or cause the eyelid to repeatedly close and reopen.... More -
Dr. Howard LeWine answered:The exact cause of eyelid spasm or twitching is unknown. But it is very common.
The spasms or twitching usually involve either the upper or lower eyelid of just one eye. The symptom may last for several minutes, even a couple hours. But it usually resolves on its own and might not happen again for many months or years.
People tend to get eyelid spasms or twitching when they feel stressed or tired. There is no specific treatment when the twitching does occur. Relaxation breathing or other relaxation techniques might help. The twitching always stops when you fall asleep.
There is a more troublesome form of muscle spasms of the eyelids around the eye called blepharospasm. These are more persistent muscle spasms that can be very uncomfortable. The eye itself is not affected. In addition to the discomfort, the spasms can be severe enough to keep the eyelids closed.
You should see your doctor if you have persistent spasms or twitching.
Find out more about this book: Harvard Medical School The Aging Eye: Preventing and treating eye disease
The exact cause of eyelid spasm or twitching is unknown. But it is very common.The spasms or twitching usually involve either the upper or lower eyelid of just one eye. The symptom may last for several minutes, even a couple hours. But it usually... More
