Have you feel something like twitching in eyelid? Almost every people experience this condition which is called as eyelid twitching.
An eyelid twitching is a condition associated with the repetitive, involuntary spasm in the eyelid muscles. Eyelid twitching usually happens in upper lid however it could be occurs in both the upper and lower lids.
Some people recognized this condition as myokymia. These spasms can are very mild and its feel like a soft and gentle tug on eyelid While other people explains the spasm as much strong enough to force both eyelids to close completely.
This kind of strong spasm is called as blepharospasm. Don’t confuse between blepharospasm and eyelid twitching.
Eyelid spasm occurs every few seconds to a minute or two minute. Eyelid spasms are unpredictable and may be seen off and on for several days in a row. In some cases twitching may not be seen for couple of months.
Does eyelid twitching causes any harm? If you are wondering about the harm caused by twitching than you don’t have to worry as eyelid twitching is painless and harmless but they may bother you and make you feel like irritated.
Most of the spasms get off on their own and usually they don’t need any treatment. But in rare cases, eyelid twitching may be act like a symptom or a warning sign of chronic movement disorder such as some spasms associated with facial twitches or uncontrollable movements.
Causes of Eyelid Twitching
Eyelid problem does not cause any serious problems hence causes of twitching isn’t usually investigated. Simply putting eyelid spasms happens without any recognized cause and do not cause serious problem although they could be a sign of serious problems.
Still some believes that eyelid twitching may be caused by or worsen due to eye irritation, lack of sleep, fatigue, eyelid strain, stress, consumption of tobacco, alcohol or caffeine.
Physical exertion and side effects of medication can also cause eyelid twitching.
So pay attention if twitching remains for a long time. Because if spasm becomes chronic in future than there is a higher possibility that you may have blepharospasm, a chronic and uncontrollable winking or blinking.
This medical condition typically causes strong spasm that force eyes to close completely. The cause of the problem is not known but some of following believe to cause blepharospasm.
- Environmental irritants, such as wind, bright lights, sun, or air pollution
- Light sensitivity
- Blepharitis, or inflammation of the eyelid
- Conjunctivitis, or pinkeye
- Dry eyes
- Smoking
- Fatigue
- Stress
- Too much alcohol or caffeine
You will be surprise to know that benign essential blepharospasm is more common in women in comparison to men.
Approx 50,000 Americans usually develops this condition in middle to late adulthood, According to genetics home.
The blepharospasm likely to worsen with time and May causes following problems:
- Increased sensitivity to light
- Blurry vision
- Facial spasms
Complications of eyelid twitching
Although eyelid twitching do not causes problems but I some cases eyelid spasm are symptom of a more serious brain or nerve associated disorders.
Usually eyelid twitches are causes due to the more serious condition and accompanied with other symptoms.
Some Brain and nerve disorders that may cause eyelid twitches include:
- Dystonia, a medical condition which causes unexpected muscle spasms and the affected area’s body part to twist or contort
- Bell’s palsy (facial palsy), which is a condition that causes one side of your face to droop downward
- Eyelid twitching may cause due to cervical dystonia that causes random spasm in neck and head twist into uncomfortable positions.
- Multiple sclerosis is a disease related to central nervous system that causes cognitive and movement problems, as well as fatigue can also causes eyelid twitching.
- Neurodegenerative disease named Parkinson’s that causes muscle stiffness, balance problem, trembling limbs and difficulty in speaking.
- Tourette syndrome can also cause eyelid twitching. Tourette syndrome is characterized by involuntary movement and verbal tics
Eyelid twitches can also caused by undiagnosed corneal scratches. So if you think that you may have an eye injury, don’t ignore it just go to your doctor because corneal scratches may cause permanent eye damage.
Treatment for eyelid twitching
Eyelid twitching spasm generally gone without treatment in couple of days or sometimes it may take couple of weeks. If spasms doesn’t go off on their own than you need to try to decrease or eliminate the potential causes of eyelid twitching.
Eyelid twitching may be relieved by doing following exercise:
- Try to drink less caffeine.
- Make sure to Get adequate sleep
- Apply a warm compress to your eyes when a spasm begins
- Keep your eye surfaces lubricated with over-the-counter artificial tears or eye drops.
In case of benign essential blepharospasm Botulinum toxin (Botox) injections are used to treat twitches. Botox injections may help to relieve severe spasms for over few months.
Ultimately the extreme case of eyelid twitching can be treated with surgery that associated with the removal of some muscles and nerves in the eyelids.
Prevention
“Prevention is better than cure” this phrase fits in eyelid twitching also. If you are feeling like you are having eyelid twitching more frequently than try to do some exercise to prevent twitching such as drink less caffeine.
Keep an eye on your intake of caffeine, tobacco, and alcohol, as well as your level of stress and for how much hours you get to sleep. Make sure to get enough sleep to prevent twitching.
