Why Is My Eye Twitching?

"Blepharospasm" is a term that may describe why your eye is twitching. Eyelid muscle spasms cause your eyelids to repeatedly and rapidly open and close or almost close. These movements are involuntary and can happen to your upper and lower eyelids.

Eye twitching typically happens for short periods and is not serious. You will likely not even notice when it stops. Eye twitching that happens for long periods and does not go away can be a sign of a more severe health concern.

A healthcare provider can treat persistent eye twitching with Botox injections, oral medications, and sometimes surgery. Read on to learn why your eye is twitching and when to be concerned.

Types of Eye Twitching

Most cases of eye twitching are harmless. There are some cases in which eye twitching is more severe and persists for long periods. Neurological disorders might cause eye twitching. Some people experience eye twitching as a side effect of medications that treat these disorders.

Persistent eye twitching may indicate a health condition, such as:

• Blepharospasm: This is a type of dystonia, or uncontrolled muscle contractions and involuntary movements. Blepharospasm causes very severe eye twitching in which the eyes are almost closed. This eye twitching usually impairs vision.
• Hemifacial spasms: This neurological disorder causes involuntary contractions on one side of your face. Eye twitching that happens on and off for prolonged periods is often the first symptom. The spasm spreads from the eye muscles to the muscles of the entire side of the face. 
• Meige syndrome: This rare form of dystonia usually affects the eyes, tongue, and jaw.
• Multiple sclerosis: This autoimmune disease affects the nerves, disrupting communication between the brain and body.
• Parkinson's disease: This central nervous system disorder causes unintended movements, including tremors, stiffness, and loss of balance.
• Tardive dyskinesia: Certain drugs (e.g., antipsychotics) affect the nervous system and trigger involuntary movements.
• Tourette syndrome: This neurological disorder varies in severity and often causes unwanted and repeated movements or vocal sounds (tics).

Some eye twitching does not always mean you might have one of these health conditions. Eye twitching is one of many complex symptoms that make up these disorders. Discuss your symptoms with a healthcare provider. They may refer you to a neurologist (brain and spinal cord specialist) or an ophthalmologist (eye specialist).

Causes

The main causes for eye twitching are:

• Caffeine
• Dry eyes
• Excessive alcohol intake
• Fatigue
• Light sensitivity
• Stress

Some medications may cause eye twitching as a side effect. Eye twitching is considered a side-effect of Topamax (topiramate) and Sibelium (flunarizine), which treat migraines. You might also have eye twitching if you take Clozaril (clozapine), which treats schizophrenia.

Other Symptoms

Most eye twitching happens quickly for a couple of minutes or hours. Eye twitching causes your eyelids to open and close repeatedly and uncontrollably. These movements sometimes result in blurry vision. This type of eye twitching is benign and usually goes away on its own.

Complications

The prognosis for eye twitching is typically good, and complications are rare. Most eye twitching resolves within one week. Although rare, vision loss may occur due to injury.

Eye Twitching Treatment 

Eye twitching usually goes away on its own. Try drinking less alcohol and caffeine, getting plenty of sleep, and using eye drops to reduce the frequency and severity of eye twitching.

There's no cure for blepharospasm, but various medical treatments can manage symptoms. Common treatments include:

• Botulinum toxin (Botox) injections: These injections block the signals that make muscles contract. You can also get Botox injections to treat eye twitching caused by hemifacial spasms. You'll need injections every three to four months for long-term results.
• Myectomy: This is the partial or complete removal of the muscles that control eyelids and eyebrows. You may need surgery if eye twitching does not respond to other treatments. Research has shown that 88% of people who receive a myectomy see improvements in eye twitching. 
• Oral medications: A healthcare provider might prescribe muscle relaxants or sedatives to ease eye twitching. These medications, however, are not as effective as Botox injections and surgery.

When To Contact a Healthcare Provider

Eye twitching usually goes away naturally after a couple of minutes or hours. Persistent eye twitching might be a sign of more severe health conditions, such as blepharospasm and hemifacial spasms.

Contact a healthcare provider right away if you have eye twitching that:

• Affects other parts of your face
• Causes your upper eyelids to droop
• Happens for longer than one week
• Is so severe it closes your eyelid
• Occurs with eye discharge, redness, and swelling

A Quick Review

Eye twitching results from spasms in the muscles that control your eyelids. These spasms are involuntarily and usually caused by fatigue, stress, caffeine, and many other factors.

Eye twitching is usually harmless and goes away on its own. Persistent eye twitching can sometimes be a sign of blepharospasm, hemifacial spasms, or Parkinson’s disease. Treatments like Botox injections and medications can help stop these more severe types of eye twitching.