Eye twitching is a repetitive, uncontrollable blinking or spasm of the eyelid, usually the upper lid that usually affects the eye muscles of both eyes. If you have eye twitching, you may have an involuntary movement that recurs every several seconds for a minute or two.
Macular dystrophy is a rare, genetic eye disorder that causes vision loss. Macular dystrophy affects the retina in the back of the eye. Specifically, it leads to damage of cells in an area in the retina called the macula. The macula is responsible for central vision. When the macula is damaged, people have difficulty seeing straight ahead. This makes it difficult to read, drive, or perform other daily activities that require fine, central vision. In macular dystrophy, a pigment builds up in cells...
Most people develop a minor eyelid twitch at some point in their lives. Although the cause is generally unknown, it may be associated with:
- Fatigue
- Stress
- Caffeine
This minor form of twitch is painless and harmless. It usually goes away on its own. But it can be quite annoying. And that's especially true if the spasms are strong enough to cause the eyelids to completely shut and then reopen.
In some cases eye twitching is more than a temporary nuisance. Some people have spasms that occur frequently throughout the day. Symptoms can recur for days, weeks, or even months. That can cause a lot of emotional distress. It can interfere with quality of life.
In its most serious forms, which are relatively uncommon, eye twitching can become chronic. It can cause persistent winking and squinting. If it progresses to the point where you have difficulty keeping your eyes open, it can cause severe vision impairment.
Sometimes, eye twitching can be a sign of eye conditions such as:
- Blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelids)
- Dry eyes
- Light sensitivity
- Pinkeye
Very rarely, it can be a sign of a brain or nerve disorder, such as:
- Bell's palsy
- Dystonia
- Parkinson's disease
- Tourette's syndrome