Benign essential blepharospasm is a movement disorder dystonia of the muscles around the eye. No one knows exactly what causes it, but researchers believe it may be caused by a malfunction of certain cells in the nervous system called basal ganglia. Very rarely, eye twitching may be a sign of certain brain and nervous system disorders. When it is, it's almost always accompanied by other signs and symptoms.
Brain and nervous system disorders that can cause eye twitching include:. Eye twitching may be a side effect of drugs, particularly medication used for Parkinson's disease. And eye twitching is sometimes the earliest sign of a chronic movement disorder, especially if other facial spasms develop too.
Causes shown here are commonly associated with this symptom. Work with your doctor or other health care professional for an accurate diagnosis. There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Sign up for free, and stay up-to-date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID, plus expert advice on managing your health.
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Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. There is no official known cause of eye twitching. However, it has been linked to many issues, including:. In more rare cases, eye twitching is caused by a serious medical issue, such as:.
Eye twitching happens when the eye muscles spasm involuntarily. It is commonly caused by factors like alcohol, caffeine, fatigue, bright lights, stress, and others. Conditions like Bell's palsy, multiple sclerosis, tourette syndrome, and Parkinson's disease can also cause eye twitching. For most people, eye twitching is not a serious issue. However, you should seek medical attention if any of the following occurs:. It is quite rare , but eyelid twitching can be a symptom of a brain or nervous system disorder.
However, eye twitching can be a symptom of a neurological condition, nerve disorder, or a virus. It's more common to be the symptom of a nervous condition than an eye disease. Eye twitching can be a sign of a stroke.
You should not panic and assume you are having a stroke if your eye twitches. Instead, evaluate your medical condition for other concerns occurring simultaneously. Eye twitching accompanied by other symptoms may be a sign of of a transient ischemic attack TIA.
TIA is also known as a mini-stroke. TIA occurs when there is a temporary blockage of a blood vessel in the brain. Symptoms of TIA include:. These symptoms almost always occur on only one side of the body. A TIA, though related to stroke, is different from a regular stroke because the blood clot that causes the TIA dissolves on its own, usually within a few minutes.
However, a TIA is a warning sign. Many people who experience TIA go on to have an ischemic stroke. This is when a blood clot does not dissolve before causing neurological damage.
After a TIA, some people have a hemorrhagic stroke. This occurs when either a brain aneurysm bursts or a blood vessel leaks. Hemorrhagic strokes have a high fatality rate. The length of the blocking of blood flow determines the severity of an ischemic stroke. Your upper eyelid is drooping. Your eyelid completely closes each time your eyelids twitch. The twitching continues for several weeks.
The twitching begins affecting other parts of your face. How are eyelid twitches treated? The most common causes of eyelid twitching are stress, fatigue, and caffeine. To ease eye twitching, you might want to try the following: Drink less caffeine. Get adequate sleep.
Keep your eye surfaces lubricated with over-the-counter artificial tears or eye drops. Apply a warm compress to your eyes when a spasm begins. How can you prevent eyelid twitches? If your eyelid spasms are happening more frequently, keep a journal and note when they occur. Written by Kimberly Holland on August 6, Read this next. Medically reviewed by Seunggu Han, M. Eyelid Inflammation Blepharitis. Medically reviewed by Ann Marie Griff, O.
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