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What makes your eye twitch?

24/08/2017

What makes your eye twitch?

Eye twitching

Eye twitching is something that happens to everyone now and then. A twitching eye doesn’t hurt, but it can certainly be very annoying. When your eye twitches, it usually indicates a muscle spasm. It can be very difficult to pinpoint what the specific cause might be, although if you’re a regular ‘eye twitcher’ you may be able to identify a trigger, such as stress or lack of sleep.

Causes of eye twitching1

Causes of eyelid spasms include:

  • Alcohol
  • Caffeine
  • Smoking
  • Bright lights
  • High winds
  • Irritation of the eye or eyelids.

Chronic twitching2

Occasionally, eye twitching can be indicative of something more serious and should be further investigated. Sustained, chronic movement of both eyes is known as ‘benign essential blepharospasm’. This indicates a neurological condition that can result from a range of disorders such as the following:

Although very rare, eye twitching may be a side effect of a brain or nerve disorder. They include:

  • Bell’s palsy
  • Dystonia
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Tourette’s syndrome.

Occasionally, a twitching eye can be a side effect of taking a certain medication, which may include drugs used for the treatment of psychosis and epilepsy.

Diagnosis2

A twitching eye is quite harmless. The majority of times, it should stop naturally after a short period. However, there are certain cases when you should seek advice from an eye doctor:

  • The twitching persists consistently (rather than on and off) for over a week
  • The twitching causes an eyelid to completely close
  • Spasms appear to involve other facial muscles
  • Redness, swelling or eye discharge are also apparent
  • Your eyelid(s) begin to droop.

Your doctor will test for common signs that might indicate a brain or nerve disorder. In which case, you are likely to be referred to a neurologist or ophthalmologist.

Treatment

In the majority of cases, a minor eye twitch will disappear naturally after you have a good night’s sleep, although it will help if you also reduce your intake of alcohol, caffeine and nicotine. If stress appears to be a trigger, long-term prevention should include finding ways to reduce your stress levels. In the case of dry eye, it may be worth trying ‘artificial tears’, available from your pharmacy, first. However, an eye doctor should be consulted if these don’t appear to help (find out more about our doctors here).

For benign cases of ‘essential blepharospasm’, there is no successful cure, but there are some treatments that can reduce the severity of the condition. Botulinum toxin (also known as Botox) injected into the affected muscles may provide temporary relief of spasms.

Summary

Your eye twitch is most likely a harmless muscle spasm and is probably the result of triggers such as stress or fatigue. However, if the twitch persists, see your optometrist or GP, who will refer you to an ophthalmologist if needed.


1. Mayo Clinic. Eye twitching: Causes [Internet]. USA: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER); 2021 Jan 16 [cited 2021 Jun 15]. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/eye-twitching/basics/causes/sym-20050838
2. healthdirect. Twitching eye [Internet]. Australia; [date unknown] [updated 2021 Jan; cited 2021 Jun 15]. Available from: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/twitching-eye


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The information on this page is general in nature. All medical and surgical procedures have potential benefits and risks. Consult your ophthalmologist for specific medical advice.

Date last reviewed: 2022-10-05 | Date for next review: 2024-10-05

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