We've all experienced a jumping eyelid at one time or another. Usually they go away quickly but sometimes these minor spasms can be extremely troublesome and often hang around for days.
They're usually caused by life's great stressors - namely anxiety, tiredness or exhaustion ... and by drinking caffeine or alcohol.
They can even appear as a side effect from some medicines.
The NHS says such twitches are common and very rarely a sign of anything serious. They often go away on their own, but you should see a GP if a twitch lasts more than a fortnight
Rarely, an eyelid twitch - or 'eyelid myokymia' - can signal something more serious, says the Cleveland Clinic.
The causes of the condition are not well understood, but the presence of other symptoms may warrant a doctor's visit.
The clinic explains: “Eye twitches are normally a minor nuisance that usually goes almost as quickly as they come.
“More often than not, they are simply a sign that you need to take time to decompress and destress.
“On the very rare occasions where an eyelid twitch signals something serious, consider it a clue to help you get the healthcare you need."
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Signs you should visit your GP
It's important to make an appointment to see your doctor if you experience:
- Twitches in other parts of the body
Twitching that lasts more than a few days
- Weakness, eyelid drooping or double vision.
Medical attention should also be sought if the eyes appear red, the eyelids are swollen, or other symptoms such as lightheadedness appear.
People suffering only from an eye twitch are more likely to experience sporadic spasms induced by stress.
However, there have been some serious cases linked to eyelid twitches, including autoimmune diseases, movement disorders and cancerous tumours.
Dystonia, for example, is a medical term describing a range of movement disorders that trigger muscle spasms and contractions.
Some of the more serious problems
There are several subtypes of dystonia, but those more often linked to eye twitches are blepharospasm and cervical dystonia.
Cervical dystonia causes the neck muscles to spasm and tilt in an unusual manner, and in some cases affecting both eyes.
While dystonia is not fatal in itself, problems related to the above conditions can prove life-threatening if ignored.
Another possible cause of twitching is a corneal abrasion - a tiny scratch on the window at the front of the eye due to injury.
Moorfields Eye Hospital says: “Common causes include a fingernail scratching the eye, walking into something, and getting hit in the eye, particularly if the eye is then rubbed".
The main symptom of a corneal abrasion is pain, but patients may also experience sensitivity to light, redness, and feeling sick.
Sometimes, a tumour in the brain can cause optical issues if the temporal lobe, brain stem or occipital lobe are affected.
The Moffitt Cancer Centre explains: “Eye twitching is another clear indicator that a brain tumour might be present. While some vision changes can occur gradually, any sudden changes should be immediately discussed with a physician.”
How the NHS says you can help stop a twitch
The NHS says a twitch may come and go, but will normally stop in a few days or weeks.
While there’s not usually any treatment for it, there are some things you can do to help:
Try to find ways to relax
Get plenty of rest
Stretch and massage any muscles affected by cramps
Try not to worry about it – a twitch is usually harmless and worrying can make it worse
And there's also some things you shouldn't do if you have a twitch:
Don't drink lots of caffeine, such as tea and coffee
Don't drink lots of alcohol
Don't stop taking a prescribed medicine without getting medical advice, even if you think it could be causing your twitch
Make sure you see a GP if
- You have a twitch for more than a fortnight
- You are experiencing a twitch in more than one place
- The affected area feels weak or stiff
- You suspect a prescribed medicine might be causing your twitch
