Eye Twitching
Eye twitching is a repetitive, uncontrollable blinking or spasm of the eyelid, usually the upper lid.Eye twitching (blepharospasm) usually affects the eye muscles of both eyes. If you have eye twitching, you may have an involuntary movement that recurs every several seconds for a minute or two.
Macular Dystrophy
Macular
dystrophy is a rare, genetic eye disorder that causes vision loss.
Macular dystrophy affects the retina in the back of the eye.
Specifically, it leads to damage of cells in an area in the retina
called the macula. The macula is responsible for central vision. When
the macula is damaged, people have difficulty seeing straight ahead.
This makes it difficult to read, drive, or perform other daily
activities that require fine, central vision. In macular dystrophy, a
pigment builds up in cells...
Read the Macular Dystrophy article > >
- Fatigue
- Stress
- Caffeine
In some cases eye twitching is more than a temporary nuisance. Some people have spasms that occur frequently throughout the day. Symptoms can recur for days, weeks, or even months. That can cause a lot of emotional distress. It can interfere with quality of life.
In its most serious forms, which are relatively uncommon, eye twitching can become chronic. It can cause persistent winking and squinting. If it progresses to the point where you have difficulty keeping your eyes open, it can cause severe vision impairment.
Sometimes, eye twitching can be a sign of eye conditions such as:
- Blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelids)
- Dry eyes
- Light sensitivity
- Pinkeye
- Bell's palsy
- Dystonia
- Parkinson's disease
- Tourette's syndrome
See your eye doctor for a complete exam if you develop:
- Twitching or spasm around your eyes
- Facial spasms that last longer than one week
Types of Eye Twitching
There are three common types of eye twitch:- Minor eyelid twitch
- Benign essential blepharospasm
- Hemifacial spasm
- Fatigue
- Stress
- Lack of sleep
- Use of alcohol, tobacco, or caffeine
Sometimes the cause of minor eyelid twitch cannot be identified. In almost all cases it is painless and harmless.
Benign essential blepharospasm usually develops in mid- to late-adulthood and gradually worsens. It affects about 20,000 to 50,000 Americans. It's twice as common in women as in men.
Typically, benign essential blepharospasm starts with excessive blinking and/or eye irritation that may be triggered by:
- Fatigue
- Stress
- Irritants such as bright light, wind, or air pollution
Researchers believe that benign essential blepharospasm may result from a combination of environmental and genetic factors. Although the condition is usually random, it sometimes runs in families.
Hemifacial spasm is quite rare and involves more than just the eyelid muscles. It also usually involves the muscles around the mouth. Unlike other types of eyelid twitching, it usually affects only one side of the face.
In most cases, hemifacial spasm is caused by an artery pressing on the nerve to the facial muscles.
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