What’s Causing My Eye to Twitch?
The causes of eye twitching can range from common triggers, such as stress or caffeine, to serious disorders. If you’re concerned, you should always talk to a doctor.
Myokymia
Myokymia is a minor, continuous lower eyelid twitching in one or both eyes. It can last up to a week, and is usually caused by one of the following things:
- Caffeine: Too much caffeine can trigger eye twitching. Try cutting back on coffee, tea, chocolate and soft drinks for a week or two and see if it disappears.
- Eye strain: If you need glasses or need to update your prescription, your eyes could be straining to see. Digital eye strain from looking at a computer screen for a long time can also cause eye twitching.
- Nutritional imbalances: Lack of magnesium can trigger an eye twitch. Eating a well-balanced diet is one of the best tips for eye health.
- Stress: Breathing exercises, spending time with friends or pets, and getting more down time into your schedule are among the many ways to reduce eye twitching caused by stress.
- Fatigue: A lack of sleep, whether because of stress or other reasons, can trigger eyelid twitching. Catching up on your sleep can help.
- Dry eyes: Dry eyes can cause irritation and involuntary muscle spasms in the eyelids, leading to twitching. Using lubricating eye drops or artificial tears can help.
- Medication side effects: Certain medications, such as those for seizures and high blood pressure, can cause eye twitching. Consult your doctor to discuss possible alternatives or adjustments.
Blepharospasm
Blepharospasm is a condition that causes eye twitching or blinking due to involuntary muscle contractions. It begins with increased blinking or mild eye irritation, but over time becomes more severe and can even impact your vision.
There are two main types of blepharospasm: primary and secondary. Primary blepharospasm occurs without an apparent underlying cause, while secondary blepharospasm results from another condition, such as eye irritation, neurological disorders, or side effects of certain medications.
In addition to eyelid spasms, you might experience dry eyes or excessive tearing, light sensitivity, and a feeling of grittiness or discomfort in the eyes. The spasms can also spread to other facial muscles, leading to facial twitching or grimacing. If your eye twitching lasts more than a few weeks or you have these other symptoms, you should talk to a neurologist or ophthalmologist.
Blepharospasm can run in families and is more common in middle-aged women. Your doctor will take a thorough medical history and perform a full eye exam. Treatment options include medications, botulinum toxin (Botox) injections, and in severe cases, a surgery called myectomy, which involves removing some muscle or nerve tissue.
Neurological Conditions
If your eye twitching is persistent and accompanied by other symptoms, it's important to seek medical evaluation to determine the underlying cause. There are several neurological conditions that may have eyelid twitching as a symptom:
- Bell’s palsy is a sudden, temporary weakness or paralysis of the facial muscles on one side of the face. Symptoms are more severe than an eye twitch, usually involving drooping eyelids or problems closing your eyelids.
- Dystonia causes involuntary muscle contractions, including eye twitching. It also causes repetitive movements, abnormal postures, and difficulty with coordination.
- Multiple sclerosis is a chronic disease of the central nervous system. It can cause vision problems, weak and numb limbs, tremors, and eyelid spasms due to nerve damage.
- Parkinson’s disease is a progressive nervous system disorder that affects movement. Symptoms include rigid muscles, slow movements, changes in speech, and tremors that affect the facial muscles, including the eyelids.
- Tourette’s syndrome is a neurological disorder characterized by repetitive, involuntary movements, including eye twitching, blinking, head jerking, and shrugging, as well as vocalizations.
