Eyelid twitching

What is eyelid twitching?

Eyelid twitching is a common eye condition which usually comes and goes on its own, without causing any issues. It happens when the muscle in one (or both) of your eyelids spasms or blinks involuntarily. Learn about what causes eyelid twitching, and what you can do about it below.

Symptoms of eyelid twitching

A twitch in the eyelid feels like a flickering, quivering or gentle tug in the eyelid or under the eye. It can be repetitive, occurring every few seconds for a couple of minutes, but it can last a few hours or days.

For many people, an eyelid twitch goes away without you really noticing it. In most cases, the reason behind it is harmless and shouldn’t require medical attention. However, eyelid twitching could also be an indication of other common eye conditions, like dry eye syndrome.

If you have additional symptoms alongside eyelid twitching, such as eye pain or inflammation, you should book an eye exam to see an optometrist or visit your healthcare provider.

Why does my eyelid keep twitching?

In most cases, an eyelid twitch is temporary and just happens and passes quickly. But, if you notice that it keeps going or you often experience it, there are several factors that could be leading to or aggravating it.

Lifestyle causes of twitching eyelids

Most cases of eyelid twitching can be caused by one of the following factors:

Lack of sleep or tiredness: prolonged periods of bad (or not enough) sleep may disrupt your body’s natural restorative process, causing the muscles in your eye to struggle.
Feeling stressed or anxious: when you’re stressed, high cortisol levels can impact your body causing eyelid twitching.
Eye strain: screen time or focusing on a task, like reading a book, for a long time can lead to eye strain and twitching.
Too much caffeine or alcohol: caffeine and alcohol can overstimulate the nervous system, potentially triggering muscle spasms in the eyelids.
Certain medications: certain drugs and medications list eyelid twitching as a common side effect.

Medical causes of eyelid twitching

If your twitching is persistent, and you experience other symptoms too, there are also some nerve and brain disorders that could be the cause. These include:

Parkinson's disease
Tourette's syndrome
Bell's palsy
Multiple sclerosis
Hyperthyroidism

Even if it’s recurring or lasts for a few days, if an eyelid twitch is your only symptom, it’s unlikely that these conditions are the cause. However, if you’re concerned, we recommend getting in touch with your healthcare provider to rule out anything more serious.

Types of eyelid twitching

Alongside the different causes of eyelid twitching, there are three main types of twitching:

Myokymia: a benign condition and is the most common type of eyelid twitching. Usually affecting one eye, these are often caused by lifestyle factors like stress or fatigue. While they may be subtle or quite intense, they will normally stop on their own after a few minutes.
Benign essential blepharospasm (BEB): a more severe form of the condition that typically affects both eyes. It often starts off mildly but can escalate, causing significant blinking that interferes with your ability to complete everyday tasks. It can go away on its own, but most cases will need treatment to improve the symptoms.
Hemifacial spasm: a form of neuromuscular disease and while it can cause eyelid twitching, it’s rare for this to be the reason. With this condition, you’ll experience contractions on one side of the face, including the eye, due to your facial nerve being irritated. While there’s no cure, medical treatments can ease the symptoms.

How to stop eyelid twitching

Often caused by lifestyle factors, eyelid twitching will often resolve itself over time. But there are a few tips on how to stop your eyelid from twitching and bring some more immediate relief:

Home remedies and self‑care

Try applying a warm compress to the affected eye to relax the muscles. You should also take regular screen breaks and reduce your caffeine and alcohol intake until your symptoms improve.

If that doesn’t help, you can also consider over‑the‑counter treatments such as eye drops to treat underlying conditions such as dry eye.

Medical treatment

If you’re getting stronger and more frequent eyelid twitching, you might need specialist medical treatment. Options might include:

Botulinum toxin injections: a common and effective treatment for BEB.
Oral medication: some medications, like muscle relaxants or anti‑seizure medications, can help reduce the frequency and severity of eyelid spasms.
Surgery: for some cases of BEB that don’t respond to other treatments, surgery, such as a myectomy (a procedure which involves removing some of the muscles responsible for eyelid spasms) might be a good option.
Supportive therapies: things like stress management techniques, relaxation exercises, or using tinted glasses or sunglasses to reduce light sensitivity, could all help alleviate the symptoms of eyelid twitching.

If you’re experiencing stronger and more frequent eyelid spasms, seek care from your optometrist for assessment and management.

When to worry about eyelid twitching

Most cases of eyelid twitching are nothing to be concerned about. However, you should seek medical advice if your eyelid keeps twitching for extended periods, happens more frequently or the spasms spread to other parts of your face. You should also look out for other symptoms such as:

Twitching that significantly affects your quality of life or ability to carry out everyday tasks.
Twitching accompanied by another symptom such as facial spasms, drooping eyelids, or changes in vision.
Pain, redness, swelling, or discharge in or around the eye.
Twitching after an eye injury or surgery.
History of neurological conditions like multiple sclerosis (MS) or Parkinson's disease.
Inability to control the twitching or worsening symptoms despite self‑care measures.

In these instances, you should consult with an optometrist or healthcare professional.

Next steps

Eyelid twitching is usually a mild condition that can affect anyone.

If you experience recurring or constant eyelid twitching, it’s best to see your optometrist to make sure you’re aware of any underlying conditions that could be contributing to the spasms.

Even if you’ve only experienced eyelid twitching once or twice, regular checks are key when it comes to maintaining your eye health. 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 to keep you seeing clearly.

Book an eye exam

Get answers to your questions

Written with care and check for accuracy

Dr. Tracy Weng

Dr. Tracy Weng is a Doctor of Optometry practicing in Canada, providing comprehensive eye care at the Specsavers Kitsilano location. She is a member of the Canadian Association of Optometrists and BC Doctors of Optometry, and serves on multiple committees with the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC. Dr. Weng is committed to delivering personalized, evidence‑based care while also supporting the growth of the profession through mentorship, continuing education, and professional collaboration.

Noticed a change in your eyesight?

If you have any concerns about your eye health, contact or visit your local optometrist immediately – even if you do not have an appointment.