Eye Health More Eye Issues & Safety Home Office Ergonomics Guide Home Office Ergonomics Guide Overview Your Back Back Pain Exercises Anatomy General Tips Products Holistic Help Your Neck Neck Pain Exercises Anatomy General Tips Products Holistic Help Your Eyes Eye Strain Exercises Anatomy General Tips Products Your Shoulders Shoulder Pain Exercises Anatomy General Tips Products Your Wrists Wrist Pain Exercises Anatomy General Tips Products Your Hands Hand Pain Exercises Anatomy General Tips Products Your Hips Hip Pain Exercises Anatomy General Tips Products Your Knees Knee Pain Exercises Anatomy General Tips Products Eye Twitching: Causes and Treatment Eyelid twitching isn't always cause for concern By Troy Bedinghaus, OD Troy Bedinghaus, OD LinkedIn Troy L. Bedinghaus, OD, board-certified optometric physician, owns Lakewood Family Eye Care in Florida. He is an active member of the American Optometric Association. Learn about our editorial process Updated on October 11, 2022 Medically reviewed by Johnstone M. Kim, MD Medically reviewed by Johnstone M. Kim, MD Johnstone M. Kim, MD, is a board-certified ophthalmologist and a practicing physician at Midwest Retina in Dublin, Ohio. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Symptoms Causes Treatment When to Get Help Frequently Asked Questions Next in Home Office Ergonomics Guide The 10 Best Blue Light Blocking Glasses of 2023, Tested By Our Editors If you're wondering how to stop eye twitching, it depends on the cause and how severe it is. You can stop most eye twitching by: Lowering stressTaking in less caffeineGetting plenty of sleepTaking frequent screen breaksApplying a warm compressGently massaging the eyelid If those approaches don't work, you may want to talk to your healthcare provider about whether your eye twitching has a medical cause, such as a medication side effect or medical condition. This article discusses the symptoms, causes, and treatments for an eye twitch plus when you should get medical attention. Illustration by Brianna Gilmartin, Verywell Symptoms A minor eye twitch is an uncontrollable eyelid spasm that may come and go for a few days, then disappear on its own. A severe eye twitch lasts much longer and usually does not go away. The eyelid may contract so forcefully that the entire eye completely opens and closes, over and over again. A severe eye twitch becomes extremely annoying, interfering with daily life. Causes Sometimes, an eye twitch has a simple cause. However, it could be caused by something more serious that requires medical evaluation. Minor Eyelid Twitch Causes Minor eyelid twitches can have a variety of causes, including: Stress or anxiety Caffeine Some medications Smoking cigarettes Drinking alcohol Fatigue Allergies Dry eye Eyestrain Poor nutrition Vision problems (such as uncorrected refractive errors) This kind of twitch is called eyelid myokymia. It happens only on one side and isn't caused by illness. Serious Causes of Eyelid Twitching More severe eye twitches are usually associated with: Blepharospasm: This occurs when your brain can't properly control your eyelid muscles; it affects both eyes and can become chronic and severe.Hemifacial spasm: This neuromuscular disorder involves spasms on one side of your face. Causes of Eyelid Twitching Treatment The first step in treating an eye twitch is to identify what is causing it. Determine the severity of the twitch: Is it minor or severe? Treatment for Minor Eye Twitches To treat minor eye twitches: Try to eliminate stress in your daily life.Limit foods and drinks that have caffeine.Get plenty of sleep and take frequent breaks from the computer.Apply warm compresses to the twitching eye and gently massage the eyelid with your fingers.Try over-the-counter oral or topical (eye drop) antihistamines to slow eyelid muscle contractions. Treatment for Severe Eye Twitches Treatment for severe eye twitching may include: Botox injections to paralyze the eye muscles Medications to relax the muscles Surgery to remove the contributing eye muscles Your treatment will depend on not just the severity, but the specific cause. When to See a Healthcare Provider See your eye doctor if you have: Eyelid twitching for more than a few weeksSevere eye twitching The twitch makes your eyes close all the wayOther muscles in your face begin twitching A Word From Verywell Most eyelid twitches are harmless and tend to go away on their own. Rarely, severe eyelid twitching may signal a more severe disorder. It is always best to seek the advice of an eye doctor. Frequently Asked Questions Can myokymia be caused by allergies? Yes, myokymia (eyelid twitching) can be caused by allergies, or more specifically, ocular allergies (allergic conjunctivitis). Other symptoms may include redness, itching, and watery eyes. What should I do if my eye is twitching for weeks? If your eye is twitching for multiple weeks, it's time to contact your healthcare provider. This is especially important if the twitching:Makes your eye close Affects other areas of your faceMakes your upper eyelid droopAccompanies a discharge, redness, and swelling Is eye twitching related to anxiety? It is possible for eye twitching to be related to anxiety. Most people experience a twitch in their eyes or legs, but it can happen anywhere on the body and often resolves itself in a day or two. Following a few specific steps may help ease the eyelid twitch.Get enough sleep. Most people need seven to nine hours of rest every night.Dedicate at least a small portion of your day to relaxing.Engage in regular exercise.Avoid excessive amounts of alcohol and caffeine.If you suspect the medication you take is related to the eye twitch, ask your healthcare provider. The 10 Best Blue Light Blocking Glasses of 2023, Tested By Our Editors 8 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. American Academy of Ophthalmology. What is an eyelid spasm or twitching eyelid? National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus. Eyelid twitch. Texas A&M University, VitalRecord News from Texas A&M Health. You asked: Why does my eyelid twitch at random times? American Optometric Association. Myokymia (eyelid twitch or tic). National Institutes of Health, National Eye Institute. Blepharospasm. National Institutes of Health, National Institutes of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Hemifacial spasm. American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI). Eye (ocular) allergy. National Health Service (NHS). Twitching Eyes and Muscles. By Troy Bedinghaus, OD Troy L. Bedinghaus, OD, board-certified optometric physician, owns Lakewood Family Eye Care in Florida. He is an active member of the American Optometric Association. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit