Eye Twitching: Types, Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

Published on March 14th, 2023

Eye twitching, also known as eyelid myokymia, is an eye condition that causes the eyelid to spasm and twitch sporadically. This article will discuss the eye twitching types, eye twitching causes, eye twitching symptoms and eye twitching treatments. Eye twitching is a term used to describe muscle spasms that occur in the eyelid and can be categorised into three main different types, eyelid myokymia, blepharospasm and hemifacial spasm. The common causes of an eye twitch include stress, caffeine intake and fatigue. The symptoms associated with eye twitching may include eye irritation, vision problems and facial spasms. Eye Twitching treatments include a low-stress lifestyle in some cases and for other types, surgery or eye injections may be prescribed.

What is Eye Twitching?

Eye twitching can be defined as both an eye condition in itself, and a symptom of other eye conditions. The occurrence of eye twitching may be categorised into different types and eye twitching describes the general occurrence, which is the rippling contractions of the eyelid, most often the lower one.

When eye twitching is mentioned or people ask what is eye twitching, it is most often in relation to eyelid myokymia as it is the most common and general form of an eye twitch. According to one of our qualified Oscar Wylee optometrists, eyelid myokymia is a very common yet generally benign condition that may be caused by stress, fatigue and caffeine.

What are the Other Terms for Eye Twitching?

The other terms for eye twitching involve scientific terms and colloquial terms. The scientific term for eye twitching is myokymia and can also be categorised as hemifacial spasm and blepharospasm. The main colloquial terms for this eye condition are eyelid twitching or eye twitch. The scientific terms for eye twitching are used more in professional and medical situations whereas the other terms are used in a casual, everyday sense.

How Common is Eye Twitching?

Certain types of eye twitching are very common, such as eyelid myokymia, as it is a benign condition that, according to the National Library of Medicine, is associated with stress, anxiety and fatigue. Blepharospasm is a rare eye condition that causes eye twitching, therefore, it is not common.

What are the Types of Eye Twitching?

There are three main types of eye twitching, these include eyelid myokymia, blepharospasm and hemifacial spasm. These types of eye twitching and their definitions are listed below.

Eyelid myokymia: Myokymia is the most common type of eye twitching and is a benign eye condition brought on mainly by stress and fatigue.
Blepharospasm: Also known as benign essential blepharospasm, this type of eye twitching is defined as uncontrollable eye movements such as blinking and twitching.
Hemifacial spasm: This type of eye twitching is a nervous system disorder that causes the muscles on the side of the face to twitch, including the eye.

1. Eyelid Myokymia

Eyelid myokymia is the most common type of eye twitching and is what most people are referring to when they talk about eye twitching. It is defined by the National Library of Medicine as fine and continuous contractions that mainly affect the lower eyelid. Eyelid myokymia is a benign eye condition that is commonly caused by stress, caffeine intake, fatigue and anxiety. Eyelid myokymia is diagnosed by an optometrist but it can often be mistakenly diagnosed as the symptoms are similar to the other types of eye twitching such as hemifacial spasm and blepharospasm.

2. Blepharospasm

Blepharospasm is a rare type of eye twitching also known as benign essential blepharospasm and is defined as uncontrollable eye movements such as blinking and twitching. Blepharospasm occurs when the section of the brain that controls the eyelid muscles does not work properly. According to the National Eye Institute, the symptoms of blepharospasm may develop from occasional eye twitches to more intense eye twitching that causes the eyes to completely close. This type of eye twitching can be diagnosed by an optometrist as a part of a comprehensive eye test as well as by asking about your family and medical history.

3. Hemifacial Spasm

Hemifacial spasm is a disorder that causes the muscles on the sides of the face to contract or spasm involuntarily. Hemifacial spasm is often caused by a blood vessel pressing or pulsating on a facial nerve. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, this condition may be treated with an injection of botulinum toxin or with surgery. Hemifacial spasm is diagnosed through a physical examination by a general practitioner or an eye care professional in order to diagnose and then treat the condition.

What are the Causes of Eye Twitching?

There are many different causes of eye twitching which can often be solved through lifestyle changes. The main causes of eye twitching include stress, caffeine intake, fatigue from lack of sleep, strained eyes and anxiety. What causes an eye twitch, or the eye-twitching causes, and their definitions are listed below.

Stress: Stress is the most common cause of eye twitching and often manifests as sporadic spasms.
Caffeine intake: Too much caffeine is known to cause eye twitching as it overstimulates the nervous system, making your eyes twitch.
Fatigue from insufficient sleep: Insufficient sleep may be the answer to why is my eye twitching.
Strained eyes: When muscles are overworked, they can twitch, which can also occur in the eyes when you are focusing intensely or straining your eyes.
Anxiety: Anxiety is another condition that causes an eye twitch as it can induce overstimulation in the nerves and muscles around the eye.

1. Stress

Stress is a common cause of eye twitching, especially eyelid myokymia. Stress may cause a sporadic spasm that is not harmful and will usually go away within a few days. Having a low-stress lifestyle, while not always easy, is a solution to eye twitching. Stress can be reduced through meditation, body movement and breathing exercises which may reduce or prevent eye twitching. Stress can not only cause eye twitching, but it can also manifest as other health problems.

2. Caffeine Intake

Caffeine intake can increase your risk of eye twitching as it is a stimulant that can cause involuntary muscle movement that can occur in many places on the body including the eyelids. Caffeine also tires out the eyes due to the extra stimulation. Reducing your intake of caffeine can prevent and limit your eye twitching. Caffeine is not only present in coffee but also in tea and soft drinks.

3. Fatigue From Insufficient Sleep

Fatigue caused by insufficient sleep can often trigger eye twitching as the body does not have enough time to rest and recover from the previous day. According to Good Vision for Life, an Optometry Australia initiative, insufficient sleep can cause eye twitches or spasms as well as other eye-related symptoms such as blurry vision, dry eyes and sensitivity to light due to eye fatigue. The eyes may twitch when a person is tired as the neurotransmitters in the brain which control muscle movement are affected due to fatigue, leading to eye twitching. It can be difficult to achieve restorative and restful sleep in current society but prioritising eight hours of sleep at night can be extremely beneficial to not only eye twitching but overall health.

4. Strained Eyes

Strained eyes are a cause of eye twitching. If your eyes are focusing for long periods of time on certain tasks such as computer work, it can put a strain on your eyes, causing the muscles to spasm and twitch. Strained eyes may also be the result of uncorrected vision problems, therefore, prescription glasses are a possible treatment for eye twitching.

5. Anxiety

Being anxious or having an anxiety disorder may cause eye twitching as it causes the muscles in the eyes to become tense. When the muscles and nerves around the eyes are tense due to anxiety, the eye can become overstimulated, causing it to twitch and spasm. To stop eye twitching caused by anxiety, you can employ certain techniques to calm your nerves such as breathing exercises and meditation.

Is it Possible Eye Twitching is Caused by Contact Lenses?

Yes, it is possible that eye twitching can be caused by contact lenses, especially if they are past their expiry date. This is because an outdated prescription in contact lenses or glasses may cause eye strain, leading to eye twitching.

What are the Symptoms of Eye Twitching?

There are many symptoms people may experience as a result of eye twitching, including eye irritation, vision problems, facial spasms and an increased rate of blinking. The common eye twitching symptoms and their definitions are listed below.

Eye irritation: The eyes may become irritated from the muscles in the eye twitching and spasming.
Vision problems: When the eye muscles become fatigued it can cause problems such as blurry vision and eye twitching.
Facial spasms: Along with eye twitching, certain conditions such as hemifacial spasms may present the symptom of facial spasms.
Increased rate of blinking: The twitching in a person’s eye may cause them to blink at a more increased rate than normal.

1. Eye Irritation

Eye irritation is often the first symptom of eye twitching and is caused by the muscles in the eye twitching and spasming, making the eyes become irritated and uncomfortable. Eye irritation may be relieved with eye drops to add moisture to the eyes.

2. Vision Problems

Vision problems are a symptom of eye twitching. The contracting and convulsing of the muscles in the eyes caused by eye twitching can affect vision, leading to blurred vision and eye strain. If you are experiencing vision problems alongside eye twitching, you should see an optometrist for a comprehensive eye test so they can assess your vision and eye health.

3. Facial Spasms

Facial spasms are a common symptom of hemifacial spasms, which is a type of eye twitching. Hemifacial spasms cause the muscles on the sides of the face to contract or spasm involuntarily and it is often caused by a blood vessel pressing or pulsating on a facial nerve. Not only does this condition cause eye twitching but also facial spasms around the mouth. If you have any type of facial spasms, it is important to seek medical attention.

4. Increased Rate of Blinking

An increased rate of blinking is a common symptom of blepharospasm which is a type of eye twitching. Blepharospasm causes involuntary blinking caused by muscle spasms in the eye. Abnormal blinking of the eye can happen multiple times throughout the day and this condition can also force the eyelids to close in some cases. If this occurs, seek attention from an eye care professional so they can recommend treatment options.

When do Eye Twitching Symptoms Usually Occur?

Eye twitching symptoms usually occur in eyelid myokymia when a person is stressed or anxious, has consumed a lot of caffeine or is fatigued from insufficient sleep. These symptoms can be managed or prevented with lifestyle changes such as reducing caffeine intake and taking steps to live a low-stress life.

What are the Risk Factors of Eye Twitching?

There are two main risk factors for eye twitching which are gender and age. The risk factors of eye twitching and their definitions are listed below.

Gender: According to the Cleveland Clinic, women are twice as likely as men to develop benign essential blepharospasm and Meige syndrome, which are two conditions that cause eye twitching.
Age: According to the University of Michigan Health, it is more common to develop essential blepharospasm at a later age.

How is Eye Twitching Diagnosed?

Eye twitching can be diagnosed through an eye test performed by an optometrist. An optometrist will ask questions about your symptoms and when they occur, to help determine a diagnosis. According to the American Optometric Association, you should see an eye care professional if you experience eye twitching for more than a few days after reducing potential causes in your life such as stress and excessive caffeine intake.

Where can you Seek Eye Twitching Diagnosis?

You can seek an eye twitching diagnosis from an optometrist. They will perform an eye test to assess your vision and eye health and ask about your symptoms to diagnose eye twitching. At Oscar Wylee, our skilled and qualified optometrists are available to provide comprehensive eye tests and diagnose, manage and treat certain eye conditions.

What are the Treatments Available for Eye Twitching?

The treatments available for eye twitching vary depending on the type of eye twitching as, for eyelid myokymia, lifestyle changes can treat it, whereas others require more involved treatment. Eye twitching treatments include rest, drinking less caffeine, injections and surgery. The treatments available for eye treatment are listed below.

Rest: Rest is important to treat eye twitching as fatigue is a common cause of this eye condition. Allowing the eye muscles to relax can be very beneficial for eye twitching.
Drinking less caffeine: Caffeine is known to cause the type of eye twitching called eyelid myokymia as it overstimulates the nervous system making your eyes twitch.
Injections: Botulinum toxin can be injected into the eye muscles to stop them from twitching. This is a common treatment for blepharospasm.
Surgery: Surgery may be an option for people with blepharospasm, if injections do not work. A surgery to treat eye twitching will involve removing some of the nerve tissue or muscle from the eyelids.

What Eye Drops can Treat Twitching Eyes?

Eye drops are rarely prescribed by optometrists to treat twitching eyes as they are typically a temporary fix rather than a resolution for the problem. Eye drops are not the main way to treat eye twitching, but there are other treatment alternatives such as injections and surgery for blepharospasm and hemifacial spasms, and lifestyle changes for eyelid myokymia.

How is Eye Twitching Prevented?

Eyelid myokymia, a common type of eye twitching, may be prevented through a low-stress lifestyle according to the American Optometric Association. Also by maintaining a healthy diet and engaging in regular exercise, you may be able to prevent eyelid myokymia. Other forms of eye twitching such as blepharospasm cannot be prevented although the symptoms can be managed using injections.

How Long will Eye Twitching Last?

Eye twitching will usually last only a few days, especially if it is caused by the eye condition eyelid myokymia. If the eye twitching persists or becomes more severe, seek advice and assessment from an eye care professional.

Are Eye Twitchings Curable?

Yes and no. While some types of eye twitching are temporary and will most likely go away in a few days, other types such as blepharospasm are not curable. While there is no cure for blepharospasm, the symptoms can be managed with injections or surgery.

Does Wearing Blue Light Glasses Reduce Eye Twitching?

Yes and no. Wearing blue light glasses has not been proven to reduce eye twitching although it may help with eye strain, which may be an aggravating factor for eye twitching. If you spend much of your time in front of a digital screen for work or school, you may benefit from blue light blocking glasses as they may potentially protect your eyes from artificial blue light. At Oscar Wylee, we offer a blue light filter for an additional $80 on top of a standard pair of optical glasses.

Is Twitching of the Eyelids a Sign of Vitamin Deficiency?

Yes and no. Twitching of the eyelids may be a sign of vitamin deficiency due to poor nutrition, although it can be caused by many reasons such as stress and fatigue. Many minerals and vitamins are integral to muscle function such as calcium and vitamin D, therefore, if you are lacking these in your diet and lifestyle, it may lead to eye twitching.

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