Causes

By Mayo Clinic Staff

Eyelid twitching may be triggered by:

  1. Alcohol intake
  2. Bright light
  3. Caffeine excess
  4. Fatigue
  5. Irritation of the eye surface or inner eyelids
  6. Smoking
  7. Stress
  8. Wind or air pollution

Benign essential blepharospasm is a movement disorder (dystonia) of the muscles around the eye. No one knows exactly what causes it, but researchers believe it may be caused by a malfunction of certain cells in the nervous system called basal ganglia.

Hemifacial spasm is typically caused by a small artery that irritates a facial nerve.

Other conditions that sometimes include eyelid twitching as a sign include:

  1. Blepharitis
  2. Corneal abrasion
  3. Dry eyes
  4. Light sensitivity
  5. Uveitis

Very rarely, eye twitching may be a sign of certain brain and nervous system disorders. When it is, it's almost always accompanied by other signs and symptoms. Brain and nervous system disorders that can cause eye twitching include:

  1. Bell's palsy
  2. Cervical dystonia
  3. Dystonia
  4. Multiple sclerosis
  5. Oromandibular dystonia and facial dystonia
  6. Parkinson's disease
  7. Tourette syndrome

Eye twitching may be a side effect of drugs, particularly medication used for Parkinson's disease. And eye twitching is sometimes the earliest sign of a chronic movement disorder, especially if other facial spasms develop too.

Causes shown here are commonly associated with this symptom. Work with your doctor or other health care professional for an accurate diagnosis.

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Jan. 16, 2021