What causes that little muscle twitch that happens in your eyelid?

Question

Anyone else get that occasional twitch in their eylid, it's like the muscle is contracting several times a second - What causes it? what can I do to stop it? -

Answer 1

I have asked my optometrist about this and he said that it is lack of sleep. You are overtired, my dear!

Answer 2

Check out this site:
http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mtwitch.html
The most common cause of muscle tics and twitches is stress. Have you been in stressful situations lately?
A tic is a brief, flicking sensation confined to a small part of the body, such as the eyelid; usually indicative of a harmless involuntary muscle contraction. A repetitive, uncontrollable, purposeless contraction of an individual muscle or group of muscles, typically in the face, arms or shoulders; may be a sign that you have a tic related to a minor psychological disorder, a condition related to a brain disorder, or trigeminal neuralgia. Intense, longer-lasting trembling or shaking of a body part or of the entire body; could be symptomatic of caffeine poisoning, alcohol withdrawal, an overactive thyroid gland or Parkinson's disease. Movements such as shoulder shrugging, mouth twitching and erratic blinking may be signs of a minor psychological disturbance. They most often develop in children ages 7 to 14 as a result of anxiety, and usually stop within a year; some cases may persist into adulthood. The disorder occurs in up to 25 percent of children, and boys exhibit symptoms three times as often as girls. Tics or twitches are sometimes caused by neurological disorders, in which case they are referred to as dyskinesia. This condition may result from brain damage at birth, head trauma or use of the antiemetic (vomit suppressant) drug metoclopramide, or drugs to treat psychiatric ailments. Dyskinesia includes muscle spasms, repetitive fidgets, jerking or writhing movements, or a combination of these symptoms.
CALL YOUR DOCTOR IF:
Your condition consists of unexpected trembling movements that occur only when the affected body part is at rest; you need to be checked for the possibility of Parkinson's disease. Your tic or twitch is persistent or recurs often; you may be having minor seizures, or you may have a neurological disorder or other condition of a serious nature. One currently approved treatment for major spasms is the injection of botulinum toxin. This toxin weakens the muscles by blocking nerve impulses transmitted from the nerve endings of the muscles. Kids, don't try this at home.
http://umm.edu/ency/article/000756.htm
Blepharospasm is the medical term for when your eyelid muscles repeatedly and rhythmically contract. In some instances, the eyelid may repeatedly close (or nearly close) and re-open. The most common things that make the muscle in your eyelid twitch are fatigue, stress, and caffeine.
CALL YOUR DR 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 .

Answer 3

It's an irritation of the nerve. I frequently get eyelid twitches. My eye doctor said to put warm compresses on the eye to stop them. While they are very annoying, they are not serious, so don't worry too much about them. They generally go away by themselves.

Answer 4

Yes, unfortunately, my left eyelid twitches a lot, too. ;)
It can get really irritating. however, this is usually a minor thing that should be gone within a week. If it doesn't, I suggest you talk to your doctor about this.

Answer 5

I got a small twitch in the lower eye lid near the tear duct.. it was very noticeable but its been lessening over the weeks. I checked WebMD but there doesn't seem to be any real reason for it.. and I guess it goes away eventually.

Answer 6

Now you mention that It happens to me. I think its like a muscle spasm due to stress. but I could be wrong. but when I usually get stressed it starts twitching like crazy.

Answer 7

i have had that before,and its usually when i am stressed so i put it down to blood pressure rising which causes the twitching.get ur blood pressure checked-you can get it checked at branches or llyods (Spellin?),chemist and i think at boots free of charge .mine was raised slightly so saw doctor after who keeps an eye on it.sure you will be fine tho :)

Answer 8

its tiredness, muscle spasms (just like you can get cramp in your leg etc) and straining your eyes too much can also cause it.
go to your opticians and get your eyes checked just to see if you need glasses for reaing, watching tv etc.
i suffered with it for about two weeks then found out i needed glasses for long distance.

Answer 9

usually excess caffeine or stress most likely. Cold compress or tonic water may help

Answer 10

it's an old wives' tale but i'll let you know...

It means that someone is talking about you...