Eyelid Twitch

Content provided by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School

Eyelid Twitch

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Question:

What causes twitching of the eyelid?

Answer:

Eyelid twitching is a very common symptom. It often occurs in association with stress and fatigue. The exact cause is unknown.

Other than reducing stress and getting a little more good-quality sleep, there isn't any specific treatment for a twitching eyelid. It should go away on its own.

Some people find that a clean, warm, wet washcloth over the eye helps. While no proof exists that caffeine can make it worse, you might want to decrease caffeine consumption to see if it helps.

Eyelid twitching is not the same as a spasm of the muscles around the eye. Involuntary closing of one or both eyes, called blepharospasm, should prompt a call to your doctor's office.

Howard LeWine, M.D., is chief editor of Internet Publishing at Harvard Health Publications. He is recognized as an outstanding clinician and teacher and is a recipient of the Internal Medicine Teacher of the Year award at Brigham and Women's Hospital. Dr. LeWine continues to practice Internal Medicine; most recently he became a hospitalist after practicing primary care for over 20 years.

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Last updated:	July 20, 2009

Medical content reviewed by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School. Harvard Health Publications, Copyright © 2007 by President and Fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved. Used with permission of StayWell.

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