An eyelid twitch, or myokymia, is a repetitive, involuntary spasm of the eyelid muscles. A twitch usually occurs in the upper lid, but it can occur in both the upper and lower lids. Episodes of eyelid twitching are unpredictable. The twitch may occur off and on for several days. Then, you may not experience any twitching for weeks or even months. In rare cases, eyelid spasms may be an early warning sign of a chronic movement disorder, especially if the spasms are accompanied by other facial twitches or uncontrollable movements. Eyelid spasms may occur without any identifiable cause. Since theyâre rarely a sign of a serious problem. Eyelid twitches may be caused or made worse by:
- Eye irritation
- Eyelid strain
- Fatigue
- Lack of sleep
- Physical exertion
- Medication side effects
- Stress
- Use of alcohol, tobacco, or caffeine
- Blepharitis, or inflammation of the eyelid
- Conjunctivitis, or pinkeye
- Dry eyes
- Environmental irritants, such as wind, bright lights, sun, or air pollution
Eyelid twitches are rarely serious enough to require emergency medical treatment. However, chronic eyelid spasms may be a symptom of a more serious brain or nervous system disorder. The following steps may help:
- Drink less caffeine.
- Get adequate sleep.
- Keep your eye surfaces lubricated with over-the-counter artificial tears or eye drops.
- Apply a warm compress to your eyes when a spasm begin
If the problems persist or worsen visit the opthalmologist at the earliest
Next Steps
Follow the steps as advised
Health Tips
If condition persists or worsens visit the opthalmologist at the earliest