When Eye Twitching is a Sign of a Health Condition: what to do next 

Eye twitching is something many of us experience. In the vast majority of cases, it’s nothing to worry about. However, there are some cases when it can be a signal of another underlying health condition.

The following looks at what eye twitching is, the different types, what it can be a symptom of, and when you should seek professional help.

All About Eye Twitching

• The two categories of eye twitching
• What causes eye twitching?
• Self-help for eye twitching
• When to seek help for eye twitching

The two categories of eye twitching

Eye twitching is an involuntary contraction of the muscles around the eye. In most cases, these twitches are temporary and go away without intervention. Twitches are classified in two ways:

• Eyelid myokymia: The most common kind, this is mild and occasional. You’ll feel the eye twitch but it’s rarely noticeable to anyone else. No treatment is required.
• Benign essential blepharospasm: These are longer episodes of twitching that cause the eyelid to partially or completely close. It can occur in one or both eyes. It can lead to significant visual impairment and often requires some kind of treatment.

What causes eye twitching?

It’s not 100% clear what causes eye twitching, although it’s believed that there might be a hereditary link. Other underlying causes can include fatigue, stress, dry eyes, eye strain, caffeine, and certain medications.

Rarely eye twitching can be a symptom of another underlying condition. These are usually related to the nervous system, such as:

• Multiple sclerosis
• Dystonia
• Bell’s palsy
• Tourette’s

It can also be caused by inflammation of the eyelids, a condition known as blepharitis.

Self-help for eye twitching

In most cases, eye twitching doesn’t require medical intervention. You can help reduce them by addressing the cause. For example, if fatigue is the reason, getting more sleep will reduce the symptoms. If it’s excessive caffeine, then cutting down is key. Dry eyes can be helped by using artificial tears and if anxiety is the issue, try stress-reduction techniques, including breathing exercises, exercise, or medications.

When to seek help for eye twitching

There are several reasons that would warrant further assessment of eye twitching symptoms:

• Extended periods of twitching that carry on for many weeks or more
• The twitching is in combination with trouble opening your eye/s or any reduction in vision
• There are any other associated symptoms, such as a drooping face, pain, or any associated nerve symptom

Benign essential blepharospasm can be treated by your ophthalmologist. One of the most successful ways of doing this is with Botox injections. This works by temporarily paralyzing the nerve route that supplies the muscle that’s twitching. This is an FDA-approved treatment for involuntary muscle spasms and has been commonly used since 1989, so is extremely safe, tested, and documented.

In the small number of cases where this isn’t effective, then alternatives include antispasmodic medications, such as lorazepam, tetrabenazine, and clonazepam. Surgery is the final option, but this is very rarely needed. If done, the aim is to sever some or all of the nerve that makes the muscle twitch.

Concerned about Eye Twitching? Get the Best Diagnosis at the West Boca Eye Center

Whether you suffer from the occasional twitch, or the issue is becoming overwhelming, the first step to either putting your mind at rest or defining the problem is to partner with the best ophthalmologist. At the WBEC, our approach to whole-eye health includes the road that leads to a definitive diagnosis.

Discover more about our comprehensive visual health program and get in touch today via

https://westbocaeyecenter.com/

Eye twitching is something many of us experience. In the vast majority of cases, it’s nothing to worry about. However, there are some cases when it can be a signal of another underlying health condition.

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