Causes of Eye Twitching: Understanding the Underlying
Eye twitching is not painful but can be very annoying.
For most people, eye twitching goes away on its own. However, sometimes it can come back.
Eyelid twitching or spasm, also called Blepharospasm, is an involuntary blinking or movement of both eyelids.
According to MedlinePlus, researchers estimate that 20,000 to 50,000 Americans have Blepharospasm, and the condition does not go away.
Keep reading to learn more about the various causes of eye twitching in detail.
Causes of Eye Twitching
Eye Twitching can happen due to a number of factors.
If it is severe, then it can cause problems with your vision. Thus it is important to understand the causes of eye twitching.
Ocular Myokymia
Ocular Myokymia is the most common cause of eye twitching. It is not a harmful condition and does not lead to any severe problems.
The condition can sometimes cause due to a problem in the muscles responsible for eyelid movements.
Our eyelids are controlled by small muscles. The problem with either one of these muscles can cause eye twitching.
There are some things that may contribute to eye twitching or may prolong it.
- Alcohol or caffeine intake
- Lack of sleep
- Fatigue
- Physical exertion
- Smoking
- Bright lights
- Irritation of the eye surface or inner eyelids
Sometimes, nutrient deficiency can be a cause of eye twitching.
An imbalance or deficiency of Nutrients like Vitamin D, Vitamin B12, Magnesium, Electrolytes, and Calcium can cause your eye to twitch.
Benign Essential Blepharospasm
Severe twitching of both eyes is often caused due to a condition called Benign Essential Blepharospasm.
Eyelid twitching (Blepharospasm) is associated with an abnormal function of the Basal Ganglia. Basal Ganglia is the part of the brain responsible for muscle movement.
In rare cases, stress or heredity may be responsible for the development of Blepharospasm.
It is a type of movement disorder called Dystonia, where a person has uncontrollable muscle movement.
It can happen every few seconds. Blinking can last for irregular periods of time, from days to months.
Eye twitching can also be a sign of brain or nerve disorders, such as:
- Parkinson’s disease
- Bell’s Palsy
- Tourette Syndrome
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Brain damage from inflammation or a stroke
- Bad reaction to certain medicines used to treat mental illness
Also Read: Want to learn more about the relation between eye twitching and stroke? Read our informative article, “Is Eye Twitching a Sign of Stroke?“
Sometimes, people with Blepharospasm can develop Meige Syndrome (Brueghel syndrome).
People suffering from Meige Syndrome have spasms of the jaw and tongue along with eyelids.
Thus if you develop twitching elsewhere on your face, then seek immediate medical attention.
Hemifacial Spasm
A Hemifacial Spasm is an involuntary movement.
It usually occurs in the muscles stimulated by Ipsilateral Facial Nerve.
It causes twitching of facial muscles on one side of your face.
This involuntary twitching often starts with your eyelid.
Often, eye twitching is harmless. But if you experience any of the following, then you should see your Ophthalmologist.
- Eye twitching lasts for longer than a week
- Your eyelid closes shut after each twitch
- Your eye is swollen, red, or has a discharge
Takeaway
Eye twitching is a predominantly common and benign condition.
More often, you should take it as a sign that you need to take a step back, reduce stress and relax.
But some types of eye twitching can be a sign of a problem with the nervous system.
Thus, if the eye twitch is not going away, or if you see any other symptoms, then talk with your doctor to avoid further complications.
Also Read: Persistent eye twitching can be irritating and problematic. To know some effective remedies to control it read “Eye Twitching Remedy – Tips to Relieve“.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes eye twitching?
In most cases, eye twitching is caused due to weakness, fatigue, alcohol or caffeine intake, driving, and lack of sleep.
When to worry about eye twitching?
On rare occasions, eye twitching can lead to serious conditions. You need to worry about your eye twitching and seek immediate medical attention if it is not going away, gets painful, your eye gets swollen, red, or has a discharge.
What deficiency causes eye twitching?
Sometimes, a deficiency of Vitamin D, Vitamin B12, Calcium, Magnesium, or Electrolytes can cause eye twitching.
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