The difference between a normal eye twitch and a twitch due to eye nerve disease

Ordinary eye twitch with twitch due to eye disease

Eye twitching occurs when the eye muscles go into spasm. Muscle spasms are triggered by electrical activity in the brain that causes nerve cells to transmit signals to the muscles.

This can also occur due to excessive muscle stimulation, for example excessive caffeine intake, lack of sleep, or dry eye conditions.

Normal eye twitching occurs without other annoying symptoms. Also, these twitches will go away on their own after a few minutes. A normal twitch shouldn't last for days.

Although almost everyone feels a twitch in the eye, you still need to be vigilant. The reason is, the twitching of the eye may not be something you normally feel, but a sign of a problem or disease in the nerves around the eye.

Most often the problem with twitching of the eye is caused by blepharospasm and hemifacial spasm . Here's the explanation.

A sign of twitching of the eye due to blepharospasm

Blepharospasm is a rare neurological disorder that causes the muscles around the eyes to contract and spasm. Initially, it is like a normal twitch of the base eyelid.

However, over time the disease will get worse if left untreated and make the twitching worse.

Most health professionals believe that this condition occurs due to trauma to the eye and genetic factors.

There is also a theory that blepharospasm occurs because the basal ganglia of the brain — the part of the brain that regulates motor function — don't work properly.

What is the difference between a normal twitch and a twitch due to blepharospasm, namely:

Twitch due to blepharospasm usually involves both sides of the eye
People with blepharospasm will blink more frequently
Apart from the muscles around the eyes, muscles in other parts of the face also often twitch
Eye twitching can last up to an hour or more
The eyes are very sensitive to bright light (photophobia)

The sign of a twitch of the eye hemifacial spasm

Apart from blepharospasm, hemifacial spasm often mistaken for a normal eye twitch. The reason is, this condition also usually starts with a twitch around the eye.

However, muscle spasms will spread to other muscles on the face, such as the jaw, mouth, cheeks, and neck.

This condition is quite rare and is not caused by damage to deep brain structures. Health experts believe that this condition is caused by irritation of the nerves and blood vessels around the face.

There are several signs that can distinguish normal eye twitching from consequent eye twitching hemifacial spasm , that is:

Twitches are more common and can last for days
When twitching, the muscles around the face will also experience weakness, for example, it is a little difficult to smile
Twitch can occur around the mouth or eyebrows
Often hear a “click” sound in the ear on the side of the eye that often twitches

When to see a doctor for twitching eyes?

Normal eye twitching will go away on its own if you rest and reduce your caffeine intake. However, if the twitching continues, even interrupting your activities, immediately see a doctor.

Reporting from the Mayo Clinic, there are several conditions related to twitching eyes, which need a doctor's care because they indicate a disease, not a normal condition, including:

The twitching didn't go away in a few weeks
When you twitch, your eyes either completely close or make it difficult for you to open your eyes
Twitch occurs on other parts of the face as well
The eye becomes red, swollen, or oozes discharge
The eyelids droop or droop

You may need to undergo medical tests to get a proper diagnosis. The reason is, eye twitching also appears in other diseases, such as Bell's palsy (weakness of the facial muscles on one side due to inflammation).