UNIVERSITY

DAVIDSON

ROCKY RIVER

University Eye Associates
Menu
  • Home
  • Locations
    • University Location
      • University Testimonials
    • Davidson Location
      • Davidson Testimonials
    • Rocky River Location
      • Rocky River Testimonials
  • Patient Center
    • New Patient Forms
    • Insurance
    • Get Affordable Vision Insurance
    • Payments
    • Office Policies/ Consent To Treat
    • Patient Portal
    • Medical Records Release
  • Our Doctors
    • Dr. Steven Eyler
    • Dr. Kenneth Best
    • Dr. Maggie Metwalli
    • Dr. Robert Hamp
    • Dr. Kalene Fix
    • Dr. Claire Schmidt
    • Dr. Michelle Do
    • Dr. Emilie Seitz
    • Dr. Marie Huegel
  • Conditions Treated
    • Cataract
    • Dry Eye
      • Dry Eye Facts
    • Common Eye Injuries
    • Computer Vision
    • Lazy Eye
    • Low Vision
    • Pink Eye
    • Macular Degeneration
    • Glaucoma Treatment
  • Services
    • Vision and Eye Health Exams
      • Pediatric Eye Exams
    • Contact Lens Exams
    • Keratoconus
    • Family Eye care
    • Urgent Eye Care Services
      • Urgent Eye Care FAQs
    • Children's Vision
    • Sports Vision
    • Lasik Eye Surgery
    • Eye Surgeries
    • Lipiflow Dry Eye Treatment
  • EyeWear
    • Frame Selection
    • Choosing Your Frame
    • Order Contacts Online
    • Prescription Lenses
    • Sunglasses
    • Sunglasses FAQ
  • Blog
  • Community Content
    • Common Eye Conditions
      • Age-Related
      • Cognitive and Acquired
      • Vision Impairment
      • Injury & Irritation
      • Eye Lids
      • Changes in Appearance
    • Contact Lenses
    • Eye Diseases
    • Eyeglasses
      • Eyeglass Lenses
    • Eye Symptoms
    • How the Eyes Work
      • Basic Visual Skills
    • Pediatric Vision
    • Protecting Your Eyes
    • Visual Rehabilitation
    • Vision Problems
    • What is Vision Therapy
    • Vision Therapy Programs
    • We Can Help With
      • Cataracts
      • Corneal Disorders
        • Disorders
      • Glaucoma
      • Refractive Disorders
      • Adult Strabismus
      • Retinal Disorders
    • Newsletters
      • Glasses & Frames
      • Contacts
      • Tips for Healthy Eyes
      • Conditions That Affect Vision
      • Kid's Vision
      • Amazing, Interesting Eyes
      • Medical Perspectives
  • Home >
  • Articles >
  • Newsletters >
  • Tips for Healthy Eyes >
  • Why Is My Eyelid Twitching?

Why Is My Eyelid Twitching?

  • Created in Newsletters, Tips for Healthy Eyes
Image of woman wearing glasses winking.

Almost every person experiences some form of eyelid twitching in his or her lifetime. Known medically as blepharospasm, eyelid twitching is characterized by the involuntary movement or spasm of the eyelid muscles. Spasms typically occur every few seconds over the course of several minutes. Twitching episodes might occur for several days or weeks at a time. Blepharospasms occur in varying strengths, sometimes the spasm might force the eyelid shut. In other instances, it might only cause a slight fluttering of the eyelid. Typically, eyelid twitching is a harmless annoyance, but in rare cases it can signify a more serious neuromuscular problem.

Since blepharospasm is usually benign, no singular cause has been pinpointed, but several factors have been shown to increase the frequency or duration of eye twitching. These factors include:

• Stress
• Physical Exertion
• Fatigue or Lack of Sleep
• Eyelid or Eye Irritation
• Caffeine
• Tobacco
• Alcohol
• Medication Side Effects

Patients who experience chronic eyelid twitching in both eyes have what is called benign chronic blepharospasm. While the causes of this condition are unknown, the following factors may worsen it:

• Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)
• Blepharitis (Inflammation of the Eyelid)
• Entropion (Inward Turned Eyelid)
• Uveitis (Inflammation of the Eye)
• Stress
• Sensitivity to Light
• Fatigue
• Environmental Irritants

Though rarely, eyelid twitching can be a sign of a brain or nerve disorder. When this is the case, other symptoms are usually present in addition to blepharospasm. If eyelid twitching accompanies other uncontrollable facial spasms or symptoms, it could be a sign of a more serious neuromuscular disorder. These brain and nerve disorders include:

• Dystonia: causes uncontrollable twisting spasms.
• Cervical Dystonia: causes neck and head spasms.
• Bell's Palsy: causes one side of the face to droop.
• Parkinson's Disease: causes balance problems, trembling, muscle spasms, and difficulty speaking.
• Tourette Syndrome: causes involuntary movement, facial tics, and vocal tics.
• Multiple Sclerosis: causes tremors, muscle weakness, and slurred speech.

Although these nerve and brain disorders are rare, if any other symptoms accompany eyelid twitching, a person should always see a doctor.

Most cases of blepharospasm will resolve on their own after a few days. To speed up the process or ease the symptoms, try applying a warm compress to the eye, using eye drops to keep the eye lubricated, drink less caffeine, and get more sleep. In extreme, chronic cases, an eye care professional might recommend Botox injections or surgery to remove the twitching muscles.

Sources:

Mayo Clinic (2013). Eye Twitching.

Medicine Net (2014). Eye Twitch.

  • Common Eye Conditions
    • Age-Related
    • Cognitive and Acquired
    • Vision Impairment
    • Injury & Irritation
    • Eye Lids
    • Changes in Appearance
  • Contact Lenses
  • Eye Diseases
  • Eyeglasses
    • Eyeglass Lenses
  • Eye Symptoms
  • How the Eyes Work
    • Basic Visual Skills
  • Pediatric Vision
  • Protecting Your Eyes
  • Visual Rehabilitation
  • Vision Problems
  • What is Vision Therapy
  • Vision Therapy Programs
  • We Can Help With
    • Cataracts
    • Corneal Disorders
      • Disorders
    • Glaucoma
    • Refractive Disorders
    • Adult Strabismus
    • Retinal Disorders
  • Newsletters
    • Glasses & Frames
    • Contacts
    • Tips for Healthy Eyes
    • Conditions That Affect Vision
    • Kid's Vision
    • Amazing, Interesting Eyes
    • Medical Perspectives

Office Hours

Our Regular Schedule

Monday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Tuesday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Wednesday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Thursday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Friday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed

Locations

Find us on the map

UNIVERSITY

DAVIDSON

ROCKY RIVER

Request Appointment
Request Appointment
Request Appointment
Call
Call
Call
Email Us
Email Us
Email Us

  • Copyright © 2023 MH Sub I, LLC dba iMatrix.
  • Admin Log In
  • Site Map