Sometimes, electrical activity in the brain causes nerve cells to flash signals to the muscles, which causes spasms. These spasms do not result from any internal or external stimuli, and they do not last long.
A one-time eyelid twitch is likely to be a result of this phenomenon.
If an eyelid twitch lasts for a few minutes to a few days, it could be caused by muscle overstimulation or fatigue due to:
- excessive caffeine intake
- disrupted or insufficient sleep patterns
- stress
- dry eyes
Improving sleeping patterns, drinking less coffee, or using lubricating eye drops can usually resolve a simple eyelid twitch without medical attention.
If an eyelid twitch persists, a person should visit an eye doctor (ophthalmologist) as they may have a more serious condition that requires treatment.
The most common forms of chronic eyelid twitch are benign essential blepharospasm and hemifacial spasm.
Benign essential blepharospasm is a rare neurological disorder that causes spasms and muscle contractions around the eyes.
It may initially appear similar to a basic eyelid twitch, but it can deteriorate if left untreated. In some cases, the spasms become severe enough to squeeze the eyelids shut for hours at a time.
Researchers are still unsure as to the causes of essential blepharospasm. Most believe that it is a combination of both environmental and genetic factors.
A common theory is that these factors cause the brain’s basal ganglia to malfunction. The basal ganglia are involved in regulating motor function, and they play a significant role in inhibiting erratic movements.
According to the National Organization for Rare Disorders, essential blepharospasm has several early symptoms that can help to distinguish it from a basic twitch:
- both eyes are involved
- the individual blinks frequently
- other muscles in the face experience spasms
- the eyes become irritated in bright light and stressful situations
- spasms usually last for an hour
Hemifacial spasm may initially be confused for a simple eye twitch as the condition usually begins by affecting the muscles surrounding the eye.
However, these spasms will eventually spread to other muscles on the same side of the face, causing the jaw, mouth, cheek, and neck muscles to contract spontaneously.
Hemifacial spasm is also a rare condition, but it is not caused by malfunction of any deep-brain structures. Instead, researchers believe that hemifacial spasm is caused by irritation of the facial nerve. This irritation could happen if a neighboring blood vessel puts too much pressure on the nerve.
Some other differences that might be useful in telling hemifacial spasm apart from blepharospasm and basic eye twitch are:
- the condition will usually affect one eye
- a person may experience facial muscle weakness between contractions
- hemifacial spasms tend to be consistent in intensity
- some people will hear a clicking sound in the ear on the affected side of the head
- hemifacial spasms can last anywhere from several days to a few months
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