MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Eyelid twitch

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Eyelid twitch

Contents of this page:
Illustrations Alternative names Definition Causes, incidence, and risk factors Symptoms	Treatment Support Groups Expectations (prognosis) Complications Calling your health care provider

Illustrations

Eye

Eye muscles

Alternative names Return to top

Eyelid spasm; Eye twitch; Blepherospasm; Twitch - eyelid

Definition Return to top

Blepharospasm is the medical term for when your eyelid muscles repeatedly and rhythmically contract. In some instances, the eyelid may repeatedly close (or nearly close) and re-open.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top

The most common things that make the muscle in your eyelid twitch are fatigue, stress, and caffeine. Once spasms begin, they may continue off and on for a few days. Then, they disappear. Most people experience this type of eyelid twitch on occasion and find it very annoying. In most cases, you won't even notice when the twitch has stopped.

More severe contractions, where the eyelid completely closes, are possible. These can be caused by irritation of the surface of the eye (cornea) or the membranes lining the eyelids (conjunctiva).

Sometimes, the reason your eyelid is twitching cannot be identified. This form of eyelid twitching lasts much longer, is often very uncomfortable, and can also cause your eyelids to close completely.

Symptoms Return to top

In addition to having repetitive, uncontrollable twitching or spasms of your eyelid (usually the upper lid), you may be very sensitive to light or have blurry vision.

Treatment Return to top

Eyelid twitching usually disappears without treatment. In the meantime, the following steps may help:

Get more sleep.
Drink less caffeine.
Lubricate your eyes with eye drops.

If twitching is severe, small injections of Botulinum toxin can temporarily cure the spasms.

Support Groups Return to top

For additional information and support, see www.blepharospasm.org (Benign Essential Blepharospasm Research Foundation). They can be reached at 409-832-0788.

Expectations (prognosis) Return to top

The twitches usually stop within a week.

Complications Return to top

Permanent eye injury from unrecognized cornea injury is possible, but rare.

Calling your health care provider Return to top

Call your primary care physician or eye doctor (ophthalmologist) if:

Your eyelid twitching does not go away within one week.
The twitching involves other parts of your face.
You have redness, swelling, or a discharge from your eye.
The twitching completely closes your eyelid.
Your upper eyelid is drooping.

Update Date: 11/11/2003

Updated by: Jacqueline A. Hart, M.D., Department of Internal Medicine, Newton-Wellesley Hospital, Boston, Ma., and Senior Medical Editor, A.D.A.M., Inc. Previously reviewed by Edward B. Feinberg, M. D., Professor and Chair, Ophthalmology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network (7/21/2003).

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2002 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.