Eye Twitching: Causes and Treatment

If you have ever experienced an eyelid twitch, you know how annoying it can be. Eyelid twitching is an uncontrollable eyelid muscle contraction. It most commonly affects the lower eyelid.

Treatment for an eyelid twitch depends on how severe it is. If your twitch is mild, there are things you can try at home before going to the doctor.

This article discusses the symptoms, causes, and treatments for an eye twitch plus when you should get medical attention.

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: Occurs when your brain can't properly control your eyelid muscles; Affects both eyes; Can become chronic and severe.
• Hemifacial spasm: Neuromuscular disorder involving spasms on one side of your face.

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 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 weeks
• Severe eye twitching
• The twitch makes your eyes close all the way
• Other 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.