A 42-year-old member asked:
My eyes twitch frequently. is this neurological or is there something wrong with my eyes?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
Dr. Daniel Goldberganswered
Specializes in Ophthalmology
Depends: Eyelid "twitching" is a common complaint and is generally benign. Eyelid myokeimia is a unilateral (one sided) condition that causes fasciculations (muscle fiber twitching) in the orbicularis oculi muscles within the eyelids. This is generally related to stress, sleep deprivation and caffeine intake, all of which may alter the body's sympathetic tone and cause fasciculations. Bilateral eyelid twitching is called “benign essential blepharospasm”. The most worrisome condition is facial hemispasm which causes unilateral, painful spasm of the side of the face with associated forced eyelid closure (blepharospasm). This is secondary to a compressive lesion such as a mass or arteriovenous malformation which impinges on the facial nerve (cranial nerve 7) as it exits its foramen in the skull to innervate the side of the face and orbicularis muscles. This must be promptly investigated and decompressed.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. William Goldieanswered
Pediatric Neurology 50 years experience
Nervous tics?: The first thought would be eye irritation. This should be checked out by your doctor. In the absence of a definite eye irritation then the blinking is probably just nervous habit. This is fairly common and not pathological. It can be annoying or disruptive. Counseling to help learn to calm and relax may help. Sometimes calming medication is necessary. Learn to relax.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Last updated Sep 2, 2015
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