Why eyelids twitch

What is an eyelid twitch? If your twitches seem to be getting worse, be sure to tell your ophthalmologist. What is essential blepharospasm?

Doctors know blepharospasm is caused by a nerve impulse, but they are not sure why it happens. What is a hemifacial spasm? Hemifacial spasms seem to develop when a blood vessel presses on a facial nerve. Next Eyelid Spasm and Twitching Treatment.

Will stem cell therapies bring a cure for congenital ptosis? Is a gap in the corner of my eye worrisome? Reducing the factors that contribute to eyelid twitching may help reduce how frequently it occurs. Mild eye twitching occurs when the orbicularis oculi muscle, which is responsible for eyelid closures, contracts spontaneously, causing small and uncontrollable twitching movements. The medical term for this condition is eyelid myokymia. Eyelid myokymia can affect the upper or lower eyelid, but it most commonly affects the lower eyelid.

Usually, the twitching is mild and brief and resolves on its own after a few seconds or minutes. In some cases, they can last for hours. Less commonly, they can become chronic. Learn more about eyelid twitching here. Essential blepharospasm causes the eyelids to close spontaneously. This can look similar to blinking or winking, but the eyelids may close for a more extended period in some cases.

Blepharospasm may last a few seconds to a few hours , and some people may not be able to see during that time. Doctors think that a problem with the nerves around the eyes causes essential blepharospasm but are unsure why it develops. Hemifacial spasm is a rare condition that causes the muscles on one side of the face to contract. Sometimes , this begins near the eye, causing eyelid spasms before affecting other areas of the face.

Hemifacial spasm can occur on its own, due to something pressing on the nerves that control the facial muscles, or as a result of another condition. Eyelid myokymia often stops on its own. However, if a person wants to stop or reduce this symptom, they can try:. How to stop eye twitching.

Twitching eyes and muscles. National Health Service. Goldman L, et al. Diseases of the visual system. In: Goldman-Cecil Medicine.

Elsevier; Benign essential blepharospasm. National Organization for Rare Disorders. Benign Essential Blepharospasm Research Foundation. Defasio G, et al. Blepharospasm 40 years later. Movement Disorders. Liu GT, eds. Essential Blepharospasm An involuntary condition involving both eyes which starts as an increased blink rate and eventually leads to closing of the eyelids as well as squeezing of the muscles around the eyes. In some cases of essential blepharospasm, muscles of the mouth or neck also are involved.

When these spasms occur, the involuntary eyelid closure may cause a temporary inability to see. Essential blepharospasm is rare but very troublesome and often incapacitating. Hemifacial Spasm A condition that involves involuntary closure of the eye along with muscles in the cheek, mouth, and neck, but on only one side of the face.

Symptoms Twitching or spasm around the eyes Facial spasms The symptoms described above may not necessarily mean that you have eyelid spasms.

Causes The cause of minor eyelid twitch is unknown. The essential blepharospasm is a focal dystonia, or abnormal movement, produced by the part of the brain controlling movement. The cause of essential blepharospasm is almost never a psychiatric disease.