Eye muscle twitching, or blepharospasm, is usually harmless and goes away on its own. Benign fasciculation syndrome is a common type of twitching that occurs without a known cause. If twitching is accompanied by other symptoms, medical attention is needed. Severe or persistent twitching may indicate a serious disorder. Stress and caffeine can worsen twitching, and nerve damage to facial muscles should be considered a medical emergency.
An eye muscle twitch, also known as a “blepharospasm,” is the involuntary contraction of the muscles inside the eyelid. This phenomenon is very common and usually benign. Most cases of eye twitching have no known cause and usually go away on their own without special medical treatment.
One of the most common varieties of eye twitching is benign fasciculation syndrome. This is a condition in which the eyelids and other muscles in the body twitch for no known cause. Those with this condition do not have any serious neurological disorders, and the contractions eventually subside, although they often recur. Sometimes a contraction is triggered by stress.
In those who experience an occasional eye muscle twitch without additional symptoms, no medical treatment is needed. These contractions shouldn’t get worse over time and shouldn’t accompany other medical conditions. Additional twitching throughout the body is not usually indicative of a problem when it occurs in conjunction with eye twitching, as long as it occurs when the offending muscle is at rest and as long as no other symptoms are present.
If you experience eye irritation, vision changes, or pain along with a twitching of the eye muscles, you should notify a doctor. These things could indicate a problem within the eye itself or some other medical condition. There are various diseases and conditions that can cause muscle twitching, although they are usually accompanied by other neurological symptoms. These may include weakness, slurred speech, confusion, difficulty walking, or severe changes in vision or cognitive function.
Any contractions that become severe or do not subside over time should be investigated further. While unlikely, they can occasionally indicate a serious disorder. The twitches shouldn’t be accompanied by a sluggish or weak eyelid. This is an indicator of another condition.
While usually not serious, a twitching eye muscle can be uncomfortable. Many times it is made worse by stress, anxiety or other emotional issues. Individuals may be able to reduce the amount of contractions by avoiding stress and making time to relax whenever possible. Decreasing caffeine consumption may also ease contractions in some individuals.
The twitches can occur on both sides of the face or both at the same time. Numbness or additional twitching in the cheeks or mouth doesn’t always indicate a health problem, but it should be looked out for. Nerve damage to the facial muscles is the most common problem. If your facial muscles become weak or slack, especially if it happens suddenly, this should be considered a medical emergency.
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