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Eyelid twitching

What is eyelid twitching?

Most people will recognize the sensation of a twitching eyelid. It’s very common and can happen to anyone at any time, usually intermittently.

Symptoms

An eyelid twitch, formally known as myokymia, presents as a symptom of flickering, quivering, or a gentle tug in the eyelid or under the eye that can occur repetitively. It can present suddenly, and can last for seconds, minutes, hours, days, or even longer.

Common causes

Eyelid twitching can occur at any point in your life, with no known cause. However, there are a few lifestyle factors that can trigger or worsen spasms, including:

  • Lack of sleep 

  • Dehydration 

  • Stress or anxiety 

  • Eye strain 

  • Eye irritation 

  • Increased caffeine intake 

  • Increased alcohol intake 

  • Side effects of certain medications 

It can also be an indication of common eye conditions like blepharitis, dry eye syndrome, or conjunctivitis.

Treatment

Treatment for eyelid twitching is usually not needed as it generally resolves on its own. As in most cases, the cause is lifestyle related, there are a few changes you can try to implement in order to resolve such symptoms if they persist:   

  • Apply a warm compress to the affected eye to relax the muscles  

  • Monitor and decrease, where possible, your caffeine and alcohol intake  

  • Take regular breaks from computer screens or television  

  • Talk to your optometrist about using artificial tear drops 

Stronger and more frequent eyelid spasms could indicate a different type of eye twitch (benign essential blepharospasm) that develops later in life, usually in both eyes. If you experience such symptoms, please seek care from your optometrist for assessment and management.

Next steps

We want to help you see clearly and keep your eyes healthy for as long as possible. If your optometrist detects any signs of an eye condition during your comprehensive eye exam, they will determine an appropriate management plan that suits your needs.

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Get answers to your questions

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Dr. Darshan S. Matharu

Dr. Darshan S. Matharu is a licensed optometrist with the College of Optometrists of British Columbia. He is the optometrist partner at Specsavers Terra Nova in Richmond BC and also serves on the Optometry Steering Group for British Columbia, which helps strategize and develop new clinical programs for Specsavers Canada.

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