Nothing can be more annoying than a persistent eye twitch, especially when the cause is unknown. These involuntary spasms tend to be unpredictable and can arise for a variety of reasons. While most cases are completely harmless, it’s important to understand that this symptom may occasionally be indicative of major systemic conditions. Knowing whether or not you should be worried about eye twitching is tough, though there are some common factors to consider before jumping to conclusions.
Common Causes
One common cause of acute twitching is known as ocular myokymia, which is rarely dangerous. Many things can trigger it to arise, including stress, driving, fatigue, light sensitivity, corneal scratches, membrane inflammation, as well as caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine use. Twitching tends to appear and worsen with age, and can also result from environmental irritations like wind and pollution. Head injuries may increase the risk of twitching, as will genetic predispositions. Behavioral patterns tend to be the first markers of this symptom’s severity, so take note of when eye twitching occurs throughout the day to narrow the cause down to its source.
Rare Cases
Minor cases of eye and facial twitching are innocuous and will normally disappear within a few days. However, sometimes these can be symptoms of greater muscular or neurological conditions such as Bell’s palsy, multiple sclerosis (MS), Tourette’s syndrome, Parkinson’s disease, or myasthenia gravis. Don’t overlook numbness, tremors, cognitive changes, disrupted balance, or double vision, as chronic eyelid spasms accompanied by any one of these symptoms warrants a visit to your doctor as soon as possible.
When to Seek Help
Contact your healthcare provider if twitching lasts more than a week, begins to negatively impact your daily life, or if you experience swelling, redness, or discharges. Record any additional symptoms and triggers to help track down the precise causes, and remember to take family histories into account. Confusion and other neurological symptoms may require further consultation from a specialist if your physician suspects a nervous system disorder.
Treatments
The most common causes of eye twitching are stress and fatigue, and many cases can be alleviated with simple remedies. While twitching can vary widely in intensity and frequency, it’s possible to minimize occurrences by cutting back on caffeine and alcohol intake, getting plenty of sleep, reducing stress, and wearing sunglasses and protective equipment as needed. Additionally, noninvasive treatments like over-the-counter or prescription eye drops are often recommended by physicians as preventative measures. Alternatively, holistic treatments such as nutrition, hypnosis, acupuncture, and chiropractic therapies may also provide significant short-term relief of acute symptoms.
Most cases will resolve themselves in time, but constant twitching accompanied by other symptoms indicates any number of underlying conditions. Long-term eye twitching is often referred to as benign essential blepharospasm (BEB), a form of movement disorder (dystonia) that may advance to temporary functional blindness. Chronic spasms can be treated by simple surgery which removes some nerve and muscle tissue in the eyelids (myectomy). Botulinum toxin (Botox) injections are another viable, albeit more short-term, solution for prolonged twitching associated with BEB. This minimally invasive FDA-approved treatment works by temporarily paralyzing facial muscles.
More often than not, eye twitching is generally no cause for concern. This symptom can often be relieved with patience and minimal treatment, but in some rare cases it can suggest a serious brain or nerve disorder. If you’re experiencing troublesome twitching or have questions about treatments for underlying conditions, we welcome you to contact us online or give us a call today. We’ll work together to discover the cause and determine the best course of action for you.
