Table of contents:
Have you ever felt the muscles in your eyelids repeatedly move uncontrollably? This condition is called twitching and can occur on the upper or lower eyelids. Twitch intensity is usually not always the same, sometimes classified as mild but can also be strong enough to be annoying. So, what is the cause?
What are the causes of twitching of the eyelids?
Eyelid twitching is quite difficult to predict. Sometimes it only happens sporadically, over a few days, or recurs after a few weeks. Even though it feels quite disturbing, this condition is actually not dangerous.
Here are the various causes of twitching:
- Consumption of alcohol, caffeine and smoking
- Eye irritation
- Sensitivity or sensitivity to glare
- Fatigue
- Stress
- Excessive physical activity
- Wind exposure
- Allergy
In addition, there are a variety of other conditions that can cause twitching in the eye, such as:
- Blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelids)
- Corneal abrasion
- Dry eyes
- Conjunctivitis
- Entropion (inward eyelid)
- Glaucoma
- Trichiasis (ingrown lashes)
- Uveitis (inflammation in the middle layer of the eye)
The side effects of taking drugs can also cause twitching, especially drugs for epilepsy and psychosis.
If your twitching gets worse from day to day, you may experience blepharospasm. Unlike the common eyelid twitching, blepharopasm is characterized when twitching is chronic and difficult to control.
When to see a doctor
As mentioned earlier, twitching is not a dangerous condition. However, in some rare cases, twitching of the eyelids can indicate serious disorders of the brain and nervous system.
This condition usually does not occur alone, but is accompanied by other symptoms. See a doctor immediately if you experience twitching accompanied by one or more of the following symptoms:
- The eyes are red, swollen, and discharge unnaturally
- The upper eyelid drops
- The eyelids close whenever the eye twitches
- The twitching continued for several weeks
- The twitching starts to affect the rest of the face
- Numbness in the eye or face area