Eyelid Twitching Causes

Eyelid twitching, or blepharospasm, is the abnormal blinking of the eye due to uncontrolled contraction of muscles around the eyelids. Before knowing what causes eye twitching let us know a little about the different types of eyelid twitching.

Types of Eyelid Twitching

There are mainly three different types of eyelid twitching, which are as follows:

• Minor eyelid twitching is quite common and occurs spontaneously. Though it is mainly related to stress and fatigue, it requires no treatment and disappears automatically.
• Essential blepharospasm is a type of eyelid spasm in which eyelids close involuntarily. The condition may last from few seconds to several minutes or even hours. In the early stages, the person may experience sporadic blinking, winking, or pinching of the face. During the advanced stages, the eyelids may close forcefully to the point where vision is extremely blurred.
• Hemifacial spasm is a facial muscle spasm that takes place on only one side of the face. It occurs when a blood vessel on the facial nerve gets compressed. In most of the cases, the signs start near the eye and then progress down the face.

Causes of Eyelid Twitching

Whether the twiching in the lower eyelid or upper, the causes may vary from stress, an injury, to abnormal functioning of the brain. Some of the common causes are:

• Inadequate Sleep: Lack of sleep or not getting enough sleep is one of the main cause of eyelid twitching
• Stress: Studies have shown that stress weakens your immune system, lowers life expectancies, and leads to several psychological disorders. Therefore, it is essential to lower your stress level as it is also one of the main causes of eyelid twitching.
• Fatigue: Fatigue due to excessive working or living a sedentary lifestyle is often a trigger for eyelid twitching.
• Screens (Computer/TV): Constant focusing or looking at computer screens, TVs, etc. can strain the eye muscles and cause eyelid spasms.
• Vitamin Deficiency: Vitamin deficiency is a common cause for eyelid twitching but is easy to treat as all you have to do is to follow a balanced diet, having essential vitamins and minerals.
• Eye Strain: Straining your eyes while reading, watching TV, driving, etc. can lead to eyelid twitching as well. By stressing the eye muscles you limit the amount of light falling onto your pupils that help in focusing.
• Allergies of the Eyes: Allergies may cause eye irritation and then eye spasms. If you have a history of allergies, then eyelid twitching is quite likely to occur.
• Caffeine: Excessive intake of caffeine can cause eyelid twitching as it acts a stimulant and affects the central nervous system.
• Compressed Nerve: An injury, physical trauma, tension, or stress can cause a compressed or contracted nerve in the neck or face that may lead to eyelid twitching.
• Medication: Certain medicines have the potency of generating eyelid twitching as one of the possible side effects. Therefore, before taking any medication, research its probable side effects.
• Benzo Withdrawal: In most of the cases, benzodiazepine withdrawal and its long term use often cause eyelid twitching, particularly blepharospasm, which affects both eyes.
• Neurological Disorders: Basal ganglia is one of the neurological disorders that may cause eyelid twitching. Like this, there can be list of neurological disorders that may produce eyelid spasms.

Air pollution, dry eyes, or excessive exposure to bright lights are some more possible eyelid twitching causes. Sufficient sleep, stress free life, eye drops, sunglasses, washing eyes with cold water, etc. are some home remedies that can help in curing eyelid twitching. But if the severity of the eyelid twitching increases, like eyelid getting closed frequently or twitching occurring in conjunction with muscle spasms, it is recommended to consult a doctor for necessary treatment.