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Eyelid twitch

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment

Alternative Names:

Eyelid spasm; Eye twitch; Blepharospasm; Twitch - eyelid

Treatment:

Eyelid twitching usually disappears without treatment. In the meantime, the following steps may help:

• Get more sleep.
• Drink less caffeine.
• Lubricate your eyes with eye drops.

If twitching is severe, small injections of Botulinum toxin can temporarily cure the spasms.

Support Groups:

For additional information and support, see www.blepharospasm.org (Benign Essential Blepharospasm Research Foundation). They can be reached at 409-832-0788.

Expectations (prognosis):

The twitches usually stop within a week.

Complications:

Permanent eye injury from unrecognized cornea injury is possible, but rare.

Calling your health care provider:

Call your primary care physician or eye doctor (ophthalmologist) if:

• Your eyelid twitching does not go away within one week.
• The twitching involves other parts of your face.
• You have redness, swelling, or a discharge from your eye.
• The twitching completely closes your eyelid.
• Your upper eyelid is drooping .

• Review Date: 11/14/2005
• Reviewed By: Edward B. Feinberg, MD, MPH, Professor and Chair, Department of Ophthalmology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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