According to the Mayo Clinic, “Eye twitching may be a side effect of medications, particularly medicine used to treat Parkinson’s disease. Very rarely, eye twitching may be a sign of certain brain and nervous system disorders. In these cases, it’s almost always accompanied by other signs and symptoms”
Eye twitching commonly affects adults aged 50 and older.
What is Eye or Eyelid Twitching?
Eye twitching is a movement or spasm of the eyelid or eye muscles that can’t be controlled. For most people, it’s just a minor, passing annoyance. Usually, it’s a sign you need sleep, less caffeine or some downtime to relax. But if it starts to affect your vision or interfere with your regular activities, it could be more serious.
Types of Eyelid Twitching
- Myokymia
- This type of twitch or spasm is very common and happens to most people at some point. It can involve either the upper or lower eyelid, but usually only one eye at a time. The eye twitching can range from barely noticeable to irritating. The twitching usually goes away within a short time but could happen again over a few hours, days or longer.
- Benign essential blepharospasm.
- Benign essential blepharospasm starts out as increased blinking of both eyes and may lead to the eyelids being squeezed shut. This type of twitching is uncommon but can be extremely severe, affecting all aspects of life.
- Hemifacial spasm
- A type of twitching that involves muscles on one side of the face, including the eyelid. Twitching may start around your eye and then spread to other parts of the face.
Causes of Eye Twitching
| Stress | Nutritional imbalances (magnesium deficiency) |
| Fatigue | Excessive alcohol, tobacco or caffeine consumption |
| Lack of sleep | Corneal scratches |
| Eye strain | Bell’s Palsy |
| Eyelid irritation (blepharitis) | Parkinson’s disease |
| Dry eye | Tourette’s syndrome |
| Conjunctivitis | |
| Light sensitivity (photophobia) |
Treating Eye Twitching
The treatment for eyelid twitching depends mainly on why it’s happening. And sometimes, it doesn’t need treatment at all because it’s happening for reasons that are normal and harmless.
The Cleveland Clinic says
“You should talk to a healthcare provider or an eye care specialist about eye twitching if:
- The twitching doesn’t go away after a few days of trying the home treatment approaches mentioned above.
- The twitching affects your vision.
- The twitching otherwise starts to interfere with your life.
Eye twitching is usually nothing to worry about, but a qualified medical expert is the best person to make that call. When in doubt, the best choice is to err on the side of caution and talk to a medical professional.”
Can LASIK Help with Eyelid Twitching?
While LASIK surgery primarily corrects refractive errors like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, it can indirectly alleviate eye twitching in some cases.
How can LASIK help?
- Reducing Eye Strain: Glasses and contact lenses can sometimes contribute to eye strain, which can trigger or worsen eye twitching. LASIK can eliminate the need for these corrective lenses, potentially reducing eye strain and, in turn, reducing the frequency of eyelid twitching episodes.
- Addressing Underlying Conditions: In some cases, eyelid twitching may be a symptom of an underlying eyelid condition, such as dry eye or blepharitis. A comprehensive eye exam can help identify and treat these conditions, which can also improve eye twitching.
Is LASIK Right for You?
If you’re considering LASIK to manage eye twitching, it’s important to consult with an eye care professional. They can assess your individual situation and determine if LASIK is a suitable option for you.
Schedule a Consultation To learn more about how LASIK can help with your eyelid twitching, schedule a consultation with our experienced team at the Whiting Clinic. We’ll discuss your specific concerns and provide personalized recommendations.
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(952) 475-3787Resources:
Professional, C. C. M. (2024a, May 1). Eye Twitching. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/17663-eye-twitching
Eye twitching. (n.d.). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/eye-twitching/basics/definition/sym-20050838
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