Vision Health Library
Twitching Eyelids: Causes, Triggers and When to Be Concerned
Most people experience an occasional eyelid twitch. The eyelid muscle contracts involuntarily, often for only a few seconds at a time, and the twitch usually disappears without treatment.
An eyelid twitch is often called myokymia. It can affect the upper or lower eyelid and may come and go over several minutes, days or even longer periods.
What Causes Eyelid Twitching?
Most eyelid twitches are harmless and resolve on their own. A number of everyday factors can make twitching more likely.
Common triggers described in your original article include:
- Fatigue or lack of sleep
- Stress
- Eye irritation or dry eyes
- Certain medications
- Alcohol
- Caffeine
- Physical exertion
- Allergies
- Eye strain from prolonged digital-device use
- Poor nutrition
Fatigue and Lack of Sleep
Being overtired is one of the common circumstances associated with eyelid twitching.
If twitching begins during a period when you are sleeping less than usual, increasing your rest may help the spasms settle down.
Stress
Stress can also contribute to eyelid twitching.
When episodes seem to occur during particularly stressful periods, reducing or better managing stress may help decrease how often the twitching occurs.
Caffeine and Alcohol
Caffeine and alcohol are among the common triggers listed in your original article.
If twitching becomes frequent, reducing caffeine or alcohol for a period of time may help determine whether either is contributing.
Dry Eyes and Eye Irritation
Eye irritation and dry eye can contribute to eyelid twitching.
Lubricating eye drops may help add moisture to the eye surface when dryness is part of the problem.
Persistent dry eye symptoms should be evaluated rather than treated indefinitely without determining the underlying cause.
Digital Eye Strain
Long periods of computer, smartphone or tablet use can contribute to eye strain.
If twitching tends to appear after extended close-up work or screen use, taking regular visual breaks and reducing eye strain may help.
Twitching that occurs along with blurred vision or other visual difficulties may also be a reason to have your prescription and eye health checked.
How to Reduce Eyelid Twitching
Most eyelid twitching improves without medical treatment. Identifying and reducing common triggers may help the twitch resolve more quickly.
Your original article suggests:
- Getting more sleep
- Reducing caffeine
- Reducing alcohol
- Managing stress
- Using lubricating eye drops when dryness is present
- Taking note of when the spasms occur
Track When the Twitching Happens
Keeping track of the circumstances surrounding an eyelid twitch can sometimes make the cause easier to identify.
Pay attention to factors such as the time of day, sleep, stress, caffeine, alcohol, food intake and how much time you have spent using digital devices.
If a consistent pattern appears, making a few lifestyle changes may reduce future episodes.
When Eyelid Twitching Becomes Chronic
If eyelid spasms do not resolve and become persistent, the cause may be different from ordinary eyelid myokymia.
Your original article discusses a condition called benign essential blepharospasm, which causes involuntary blinking or eyelid spasms and usually affects both eyes.
Benign Essential Blepharospasm
Benign essential blepharospasm can cause repeated or uncontrolled blinking and eyelid closure.
The exact cause is not known. Factors that may worsen symptoms can include:
- Blepharitis or other eye inflammation
- Pink eye or other eye infection
- Dry eyes
- Fatigue
- Stress
- Alcohol
- Caffeine
- Tobacco
- Environmental irritants or allergens
Treatment for Blepharospasm
Your original article notes that blepharospasm may be treated with medication or botulinum toxin injections to temporarily reduce muscle spasms.
In more severe cases, surgical treatment may sometimes be considered.
Can Eyelid Twitching Signal Another Problem?
Most eyelid twitching is not a sign of a serious disorder.
Your original article notes that, on rare occasions, persistent twitching can occur with neurological or eye conditions and is usually accompanied by other symptoms.
A corneal scratch or abrasion may also cause eyelid spasm because irritation of the eye surface can trigger involuntary blinking.
When to See an Eye Doctor
An occasional eyelid twitch that resolves on its own usually is not cause for concern.
Your original article recommends an examination when twitching is accompanied by warning signs such as:
- Twitching that continues for more than a few weeks
- Twitching that spreads to other areas of the face
- A drooping upper eyelid
- Red, irritated or swollen eyes
- Discharge from the eye
- Spasms that cause the eyelid to close completely
- Difficulty reopening the eyelid
At Choice Vision Care & Wellness in Wellington, Florida, Dr. Salvatore DeCanio can evaluate persistent eyelid twitching, dry eye, eye irritation and other symptoms to help determine whether treatment or further evaluation is appropriate.