What is Eye Twitching or an Eye Twitch?
Eye Twitching, Blepharospasm, or Myokymia, is involuntary eyelid twitching. It is also referred to as an eye muscle spasm. The term blepharospasm really applies to any abnormal blinking or involuntary twitching of the eyelids caused by uncontrolled contractions of the muscles around the eyelids (dystonia). Blepharospasm is also associated with an abnormal function of the basal ganglion from an unknown cause. The basal ganglion is the part of the brain responsible for controlling the muscles; some say it is the same part of the brain that is affected by diseases such as Parkinson’s. In rare cases, heredity can play a role in the development of blepharospasm.
Sometimes people experience twitching under the eye; others experience it in the upper eyelid. Eye twitching can afflict either the right or left eye. In simple terms, it is a blinking disorder. One type of blepharospasm, Benign Essential Blepharospasm or BEB, is not life-threatening and has unknown causes. Other types of blepharospasm may be associated with dry eyes, Tourette’s syndrome, or other neurological problems, and may be more serious. In general, patients experiencing blepharospasm have normal eyes, and any disturbance in their vision is due to the forced closure of the eyelids. BEB should not be confused with ptosis, or drooping of the eyelids, which may be caused by a weakness or paralysis of the muscle in the upper eyelid. Minor eye twitches usually do not worsen. If they do worsen or persist, it is important to seek the advice of an eye-care professional.
Blepharospasm usually starts with abnormal or excessive blinking accompanied by general eye irritation. Early on, the excessive blinking may only be a result of exposure to bright lights, fatigue, or stress. The frequency of the eye spasms may increase throughout the day. Sometimes the eye spasm may resolve during sleep and not occur again until you have been awake for many hours. As the condition worsens, the spasms tend to get stronger and may result in the eyelids being tightly shut for a few hours at a time, making it impossible to see.
Some alternative names:
eye muscle twitch, eyelid twitch, eyelid spasm, hemispasm, benign essential blepharospasm, eye spasm, myokymia
Is it a constant eye twitch or does it come and go?
For most people eye twitching is just annoying, involuntary eye-muscle spasms that go away over time. In the beginning, the spasms usually occur in specific stressful situations or when there is emotional tension. Spasms that cause twitching on one side of the face are known as hemifacial spasms. These are typically due to some form of irritation to the facial nerve. This type of spasm necessitates a visit to your family doctor, who may refer you to a neurologist or an eye-care professional in order to determine the cause and what treatment might be appropriate.
What Causes Eye Twitching?
The exact causes of eye twitching are unknown, but it is believed to be related to an abnormal functioning of certain nerve areas located at the base of the brain, which control the coordination of muscle movements. Frequently symptoms of dry eyeoccur right before or along with the eye twitching. Some research indicates that dry eyes are a trigger for blepharospasm. Eye twitching can run in families, or it can be caused by the side effects of certain medications, such as those used to treat Parkinson’s disease. Unlike other eye problems, eye twitching is not usually caused by an underlying disease.
Other common eye twitch causes include:
*.Stress
*.Irritation of the Cornea or Conjunctiva
*.Fatigue
*.Lack of sleep
*.Prolonged staring at a computer screen or television
*.Nervous system disorders
*.Excessive caffeine intake (e.g. coffee, tea, caffeinated sodas)
As always, we recommend that you consult your doctor to find the real cause of your eye twitch.
Eye Twitching Symptoms
Symptoms of eye twitching may include:
*.Difficulty keeping eyes open; may last for several hours
*.Uncontrolled winking
*.Uncontrolled blinking
*.Uncontrolled squinting
*.Twitch may come and go periodically throughout a day
*.Occurs more frequently during the day rather than at night
*.Twitching reduces or disappears when concentrating on specific tasks
*.May cause blindness during spasms
*. Sensitivity to light (photophobia)
*.Blurry vision; duration varies from person to person based severity of disorder
Diagnosing an Eye Twitch
If you are experiencing a twitching eye, it may be best to contact your eye doctor for a proper diagnosis and possible treatment. During your initial visit, your doctor will ask you questions about your symptoms. He or she will want to know how often the twitch occurs and how long it lasts, as well as other medical information about you and your family. After the discussion, he or she will give you a complete eye examination. Typically this is all that is needed to diagnose blepharospasm.... More to follow.

Once diagnosed, a treatment plan (if necessary) will be created and executed.
When to Contact Your Eye Doctor
Contact your primary care physician, eye care professional, or neurologist if:
*.Eye twitching lasts more than one week
*.Twitching completely closes eyelid and prevents normal vision
*.Twitching spreads to other parts of your face
*.You experience redness, swelling, and discharge from your eye
*. Upper eyelid is drooping (ptosis)
How to Treat an Eye Twitch
There are three basic approaches to the treatment of blepharospasm: drug therapy, surgery, and supportive or preventative therapy. Drug therapy for eye-twitching is a somewhat unpredictable type of treatment that does not always produce long-lasting results. Some drugs work for some people and not for others. Arriving at a satisfactory treatment regimen takes a great deal of patience and requires the direct supervision of a neurologist.
Before embarking upon a surgical treatment, most doctors will suggest a trial of BOTOX® Injections, which are often quite effective and safe. BOTOX® is administered through a few tiny injections of the highly purified protein into the muscle either above or below the eye to block the nerve impulses that trigger eye twitching. BOTOX® Injections are a simple, quick, minimally invasive treatment that can deliver dramatic results for patients suffering from blepharospasm. If neither drugs nor the non-invasive approach of BOTOX® Injections are successful, then surgery may be considered. In general, the benefits of BOTOX® Injections begin to appear within two weeks of treatment and last an average of three to four months. Ninety percent of people who undergo BOTOX® Injections obtain complete relief, but most people need to repeat treatment every two to three months.*
Preventative measures are important. Since stress causes almost all muscle problems to worsen, including blepharospasm, it is important to minimize and avoid stress. Whether this means embarking upon stress-management through cognitive therapy, occupational therapy, or other types of group therapy or support meetings, these methods of developing and improving coping mechanisms should be explored.
In general, the approach to the treatment of blepharospasm varies with its severity.
Mild Eye Twitching
A mild eye twitch will usually go away on its own. Just cut down on stress and get plenty of rest. Decrease caffeine intake; drink less coffee, tea, or caffeinated sodas. Drinking a lot of water should help; tonic water in particular acts as a nerve-blocker. You can also try holistic methods such as acupuncture, breathing techniques, meditation, yoga, or counseling to help reduce stress.
Severe Eye Twitching
Medication may help, depending on the situation. When medication is prescribed it is usually to relax muscles; some medications work better than others. Medications that may be prescribed include Valium, Cogentin, Parlodel, Symmetrel, Lioresal, Tegretol, Artane or Klonapin.
Botox injections can sometimes help. Surgery is a last resort, and should be considered only for the most severe cases—i.e., those that hamper vision—or for patients who do not respond to medications and non-surgical methods of treatment
The chart below lists nutritional supplementsthat may benefit someone who is suffering from constant or recurrent eye twitches. Please consult with your eye care professional before trying any of the following:
SupplementDirections for UseComments
CalciumTake 1,000 mg per dayGood for nerve function
Folic AcidTake 400 mcg per dayGood for proper nerve-cell production
PhosphorusTake 800 mg per dayGood for proper nerve-cell growth
PotassiumTake 2,500 mg per dayRebalances the nervesVitamin B complexTake 100 mg per day
Good for stress
Vitamin B5Take 100 mg per dayImproves the body’s resistance to stress
Vitamin C with bioflavonoidsTake 500 mg every 3 hours, up to 4 times per dayAn antioxidant; should be used in powdered buffered ascorbic acid form
Eye Twitch – Preventive Measures
There are several things you can do to reduce the twitching in your eye each day. In most cases, eye twitching is related to stress or emotional tension. In general, preventive measures can include:
*.Stress management: keep stress under control
*.Get plenty of sleep to keep eye muscles rested
*.When engaged in vision-intensive activities such as computer work, take frequent breaks to give your eyes a break
*.Relaxation techniques such as yoga, meditation, acupuncture, or visualizations
Complications of Eye Twitching
Complications of eye twitching may include:
*.Injury to the cornea (rare)
*.IPermanent eye damage (rare)
*.ISide effects from Botox treatment: drooping eyelids, blurred vision, double vision, excessive tearing
*.ISide effects or complications with surgery