Eye twitching, also known as blepharospasm, is a condition that can affect one or both eyes. The lid will spasm every few seconds over the span of a minute or two. It’s painless and usually goes away on its own. While modern medicine hasn’t found a specific cause, many believe eye twitching is linked to caffeine intake, smoking, air pollution, stress, or fatigue.

What If My Eye Twitch Keeps Happening?

Some patients may experience eye twitching over a prolonged length of time – like days, weeks, or even months. This situation isn’t common but can be upsetting. It may be a sign of another condition like pink eye, dry eyes, inflamed eyelids, or light sensitivity.

In rare cases, some patients may have a nerve or brain disorder like Tourette’s syndrome, Parkinson’s disease, Dystonia, or Bell’s palsy.

Eye Twitching and Medications

Some prescription medications can cause eye twitching. The most common spasm-causing drugs are those used to treat epilepsy and psychosis. If you experience prolonged eye twitching, talk to your doctor about the side effects of any prescriptions you are currently taking.

When Should I Worry About Eye Twitching?

The good news is that most of the time, eye twitching is not a serious condition. It’s usually harmless and will eventually stop. However, if you notice excessive twitching or twitching that persists, you should talk to a professional to rule out a neurological condition.

Contact Grosinger, Spigelman & Grey ophthalmologists to schedule an appointment for a comprehensive eye exam.