Eyelid Twitch? It's Likely Stress, Not Serious

An irritating eyelid flutter, commonly experienced by many, is typically a harmless and temporary condition known as eyelid myokymia. This involves small, involuntary contractions of the eyelid muscles, most frequently the lower eyelid. These spasms usually resolve on their own within seconds, minutes, or sometimes even days.

Optometrist Jesús Salcedo Asensio explains that sustained stress and lack of sleep are significant contributors to eyelid twitching by altering nervous system activity and neuromuscular regulation. While magnesium deficiency is often cited, it's unlikely to be the sole cause in healthy individuals, as true deficiency usually presents with broader symptoms like cramps or weakness.

In rare instances, persistent or severe spasms may signal more serious neurological disorders. Blepharospasm causes intense, repetitive spasms in both eyes, potentially leading to involuntary closure, while hemifacial spasm affects one side of the face. These conditions require neurological evaluation and may be treated with interventions like botulinum toxin injections.

For straightforward eyelid myokymia, lifestyle adjustments are typically sufficient. However, medical advice should be sought if the tremor persists for over one to two weeks, interferes with vision or daily life, causes partial eye closure, spreads to other facial muscles, or is accompanied by double vision, drooping eyelid, intense pain, or vision loss.