Why eyeball twitches

Eye twitching, benign essential blepharospasm and hemifacial spasm are terms often used to refer to any of three separate conditions. Each type of twitch or spasm has a different cause.

Eyelid twitching myokymia affects only the eyelid. This type of twitch or spasm is very common and happens to most people at one time or another. It can involve either the upper or lower lid, but usually only one eye at a time.

The eye twitching can range from barely noticeable to bothersome. The twitching usually goes away within a short time but may recur over a few hours, days or longer.

Benign essential blepharospasm starts out as increased blinking of both eyes and may progress to the eyelids being squeezed shut. This type of eye twitching is relatively uncommon but can be extremely severe, affecting all aspects of life. There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Sign up for free, and stay up-to-date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID, plus expert advice on managing your health. Error Email field is required. Error Include a valid email address.

To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information and to understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your e-mail and website usage information with other information we have about you. While we all feel tired and stressed at certain times, our bodies handle it in different ways. Eye strain, or vision-related stress, can occur if you need glasses, a change in prescription, or are consistently working in front of a computer.

Additionally, many experts believe that too much caffeine or alcohol can also trigger minor eye twitches. There are some cases where eye twitching is more than a temporary annoyance and is a sign of an eye condition, such as dry eyes. There are treatments that can soothe the twitching along with other symptoms; such as over-the-counter artificial tears, hot and cold compresses, or a prescribed cream or scrub. If you feel your eyes begin to twitch, take a look at your recent lifestyle choices.

How much sleep have you been getting? Are you feeling stressed or anxious? Have you spent significant time in front of a computer? Try to reduce your source of stress, catch up on sleep, and take breaks from your computer monitor to rest your eyes. Be sure to reduce your caffeine consumption as well sorry, coffee lovers. Corneal abrasions also cause twitching.

Another cause of eye twitching is dry eyes. People who experience chronic or occasional dry eyes tend to have a more frequent issue with twitching. Eye twitching is also linked to allergies. Most instances and causes of eye twitching are not serious, but there are two instances in which a serious eye health condition will cause twitching.

These include:. Benign essential blepharospasm causes involuntary movements in the eye. There is no known cause, but researchers believe it is linked to a malfunction of basal ganglia, which are cells in the nervous system. In addition to the causes and conditions listed above, eye twitching isn't a symptom of an eye disease but rather an indication of a brain or nervous system disorder.

It is rarely the only symptom a person experiences when this is the case. Eye twitching has also been linked to the following serious conditions:.

Complications of eye twitching only occur in rare cases. It tends to be a temporary, highly treatable, and preventable issue. However, some people experience side effects caused by twitching, including:. Eye twitching is usually not a cause for serious concern, especially if it only lasts for a short time. If eye twitching is interfering with daily activities or your ability to sleep, it is essential to see an eye doctor even if the cause is not serious.

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