Eyelid Twitching That Keeps Coming Back? Common Causes and When to Worry
Each week, we pick out a few reader questions, and today we’re covering the following: “My eyelid keeps twitching, what causes this and when should I worry?”
Before we dig in, it’s important to take any change in your health seriously. If it worries you, see your doctor and get checked out.
When it comes to eyelid twitching, it’s usually harmless, but it can be annoying when it keeps returning.
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, the most common kind of eye twitch is a mild form called eyelid myokymia. That’s the small, repetitive flutter a lot of people get from time to time. It often goes away on its own, even if it pops up on and off for hours, days, or longer.
UCLA Health highlights that occasional twitching is common, and many people notice it more when they are tired or overloaded.
Common causes
When looking through the major eye health guidance, the same triggers show up:
- Stress
- Not enough sleep
- Too much caffeine
- Eye strain
- Dry or irritated eyes
- Bright light can make the symptom worse.
The Mayo Clinic adds that alcohol, nicotine, irritation on the surface of the eye, and wind or air pollution may also play a role.
Simply put, a twitching eye is often your body waving a small flag that something is off, rather than sounding a full alarm.
For example, the Cleveland Clinic states that eye twitching can happen alongside:
- Blepharitis
- Pink eye
- Corneal scratches.
Additionally, UCLA Health highlights that frequent twitching may be linked to benign essential blepharospasm. This is a condition where both eyes may close or twitch at the same time.
In rarer cases, doctors may also look at nervous system causes, especially when the twitch comes with other symptoms.
When to seek medical help
Beyond the twitching eyelid, if you experience the following, see a doctor:
- Eye irritation
- Extra blinking
- Light sensitivity
- Vision trouble if twitching is frequent
- Facial spasms.
When eyelid twitching leads to forceful eyelid closure lasting seconds, minutes, or longer, that’s when it can become more than a nuisance. At this point, seeking medical help is important.
The Mayo Clinic adds that there are a few signs you should not ignore:
- If the twitching lasts more than a few weeks
- If your eyelid fully closes with each twitch
- If you have trouble opening the eye
- If the eye starts to have a discharge or if vision changes
- If the twitching spreads to other parts of your face or body.
Most recurring eyelid twitching ends up being tied to stress, fatigue, caffeine, or eye irritation, and not something dangerous. Still, any symptom that changes, lasts, spreads, or affects your vision deserves a proper look. If it worries you, or just feels different from your usual, see your doctor.
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