There are various types of muscle spasms or twitches that can happen in the eye. Eye muscle spams can lead to headaches, facial pain, or blurred vision and limit the ability to see. They can be treated by making lifestyle changes, but in some cases, medication and surgery are required. A person suffering from eye spasms should first have the cause identified by a health care professional in order to begin treatment.
Stress and Fatigue
In many cases, eye muscle spasms or twitches are not related to a serious underlying condition and resolve on their own without treatment. In some cases, the cause of eye muscle spasms cannot be determined. But, the U.S. National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health state that stress, fatigue and too much caffeine or alcohol may trigger this symptom. If the eye becomes dry, this may cause it to blink or twitch. Using eye drops to keep the eye moist may help.
Irritation and Infection
If the eyelid or eye itself is exposed to an irritant or develops an infection, the eye muscles may twitch or spasm. According to the Mayo Clinic, this includes blepharitis, an inflammation of the eyelids, or conjunctivitis, an infection of the membrane that lines the eyelid. Allergies or a bacterial or viral infection can cause both of the previously mentioned conditions. Treating the underlying infection will usually resolve the eye muscle spasms.
Nerve Damage
The eyes normally blink involuntarily to stay lubricated and free of debris. Nonetheless, damage to the facial nerves can cause the condition benign essential blepharospasm, in which the eye spasms or blinks rapidly and the eye may even stay closed for short periods of time. The eye muscle spasms may worsen when exposed to wind, irritants or sunlight. It may start in just one eye, but over time, may spread to the other eye and even affect muscles in the face and other areas of the body. This condition is still not well understood and its cause is still under investigation, state the U.S. National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health. Genetics and environment may play a role. Having an underlying neurological condition, such as Bell's palsy, Parkinson's disease, or Tourette syndrome can also affect eye muscle control.
Pressure from Blood Vessels or Tumors
If the blood vessels in the face press on nerves that control the muscles of the eye, they may develop spasms or twitches, claims the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. This condition, called hemifacial spasm, tends to occur on just one side of the face and eventually may affect the facial muscles as well. Rarely, tumors can also create pressure on facial nerves and cause this symptom.
References
- U.S. National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health: Eyelid Twitch
- Mayo Clinic: Eye Twitching: Causes
- U.S. National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health: Benign Essential Blepharospasm
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: Hemifacial Spasm Information Page
