Eyelid twitches may be quite annoying, but they are generally painless and harmless! Small spasms that are quite repetitive, are called myokymia, and can occur in the upper lid, or in both upper and lower lids. A different condition, called blepharospasm, occurs when both eyes close completely and involuntarily.
Eyelid twitches occur without an identifiable cause. They aren’t usually a concern to ocular health but can be quite bothersome at times. Eyelid twitches can be made worse by eye irritation, eyelid strain, lack of sleep, prescription drugs, or even excessive consumption of caffeine. To minimise eyelid twitches, an individual should have adequate sleeping hours, drinkless caffeine, and understanding the side-effects of particular medications.
If you are overly concerned about your eyelid twitches, book to see your optometrist! This is especially critical if your eyelid twitches accompany symptoms of red and swollen eyes with discharge, droopiness of the lids or the twitching affects other parts of your face. In these circumstances, it may not simply just a problem of myokymia or blepharospasm.
To see one of our optometrists for an eye examination or to find out more, contact us on 9728 7288.
