Involuntary Muscle Twitches: Reasons for Involuntary Eyelid Twitching

The world is full of individuals having some or the other form of muscle twitch in their body. In fact most of the celebrity individuals have been / are known for 'famous involuntary muscle twitching habits' that are a subject of speculation and humor at the same time. Involuntary muscle twitches can range from petty and slightly annoying habits to more consistent and highly irritating behavior, which appears extremely erratic and the victim is simply helpless. In most cases, the twitching habit lasts for a short time and eventually fades away, while in some cases it remains for years together as a harmless muscular movement or a highly annoying form of body movement. Involuntary eyelid twitching is one such example.

Involuntary muscle twitch is a result of many factors occurring individually or as a combination, like strain in the eyes, muscular fatigue or drug overdose. It is important to distinguish between occasional muscle twitching which occurs as a result of a natural tendency of the body to relax after a strenuous workout or after experiencing high stress and that which happens as an abnormal muscular movement.

Involuntary Eyelid Twitching

Involuntary eyelid twitching, eye spasms or blepharospasm refers to an involuntary eyelid movement which may happen all of a sudden without any stimulation, last for hardly a few moments and eventually stop. Involuntary eye twitching or eyelid twitching is also known and referred to by many as benign essential blepharospasm, hemifacial spasm or simply blinking disorder. There are different types and forms of this annoying phenomena ranging from mild habitual forms to seriously abnormal forms.

Reasons for Eyelid Twitching

Following is a list of causes or reasons for involuntary eyelid twitching, which vary with every case diagnosed and are influenced by factors such as, location, prevailing environment, culture or the lifestyle of the individual concerned.

• Injury, infection or irritation of the cornea.
• Stressful lifestyle
• Sleeping disorders
• Muscle fatigue
• Overexposure of eyes to intense lighting or prolonged staring
• Neurological problems
• Hereditary reasons

The symptomatic reactions of this disorder include rapid twitching or blinking of the eyes. Sometimes only one of the eyelids twitch. If it is induced by stress related conditions, a person experiences rapid twitching of eyes just before a big presentation or an important event. For some people, it may develop into a funny and weird habit and for some into a serious complication which can severely undermine their self-esteem.

Treatment for Eyelid Twitching

There is no known / exact cure for eyelid twitching, although several different types of treatments have been found to be effective in different cases. Drug therapy happens to be the most common form of treatment in use around the world, though there have been several instances of unwanted side-effects of drugs. In some nations, like the US, using Botox injections into the eyelids is a valid treatment option. Then, there are some oral medications, which help to lessen the severity of the problem, but hardly a viable cure for eyelid twitching. When the symptoms are found to be minor and induced by stress or anxiety causing situations, cognitive behavior therapy is usually recommended. Blepharospasm is also effectively cured in most cases by myectomy, the process of removal of several nerves or muscles of the eyelids.

Despite all these assured forms of relief, prevention happens to be the best option. As in most of the cases, nurturing a positive attitude and a healthy lifestyle is the best way to ensure absence of involuntary muscle twitching, even if it is in the very common form of involuntary eyelid twitching.