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Why wont my eye stop twitching?

it hasnt stopped for about a month now
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Featured Answer

7 UpVoted this answer
Change your pillow. Most cases of mild, occasional eyelid twitching are due to pressure on the exposed parietal portion of the 7th cranial nerve, which provides motor control of the eyelids and facial muscles. A new pillow - and especially a foam pillow - disperses pressure more evenly. Resolution can take 2-3 weeks. More severe cases of hemifacial spasm may merit more thorough medical testing.
3 UpVoted this answer George A Markakis, MD, MS Ophthalmologist, Cleveland
Twitching of the eyelids (Myokymia) is often due to ocular surface irritation, particularly dry eye conditions. Artificial tear drops used 3 to 6 times/day often alleviates the dryness and helps to "turn off" the pathway stimulating these fine muscular contractions. Warm eyelid compresses may help to soothe the eyelid glands and potentate better oil gland flow. It may takes several days or weeks for symptoms to resolve. Other causes of myokymia include stress, too much caffeine, eyelid irritations (blepharits/meibomitis), stress, anxiety, and sleep deprivation and computer monitor syndrome.
Jon R. Fishburn
2 UpVoted this answer
Eye twitching can be caused by various things: the most common causes are fairly benign but on rare occasion there can be more serious causes, which should be ruled out when the twitching is accompanied by other neurological symptoms.

The most common causes of lid twitching are: stress, caffeine, lack of sleep, and eye irritation (from dry eye syndrome or blepharitis--a collection of dry skin and oils in the eyelids and eyelashes that causes an overgrowth of bacteria and styes and intense itching). Dry eye syndrome can be treated with artificial tears and in more serious cases, Restasis prescription drops and/or punctal plugs. Blepharitis can be treated with lid scrubs (such as ocusoft pads) and warm compresses and for more serious cases antibacterial and /or steroidal drops and low dose oral antibiotics such as 20-50mg doxycycline. In the absence of these conditions benign essential blepharospasm is the diagnosis, and if it persists more than a few months or if it becomes progressively worse to the point where you can't open your eyelid for periods at a time, it can be treated successfully with Botox injections from an ophthalmologist (eye medical doctor).

More serious causes of eye twitching include tumors that compress the nerves that control the muscles in and around the eyelid and face. If your eyelid twitching also involves your face (hemifacial spasms) or if you have any other neurological symptoms such as dizziness, numbness, tingling, double vision, headaches, droopy eyelids, decreased vision, etc. then you should see a medical doctor (ophthalmologist, neurologist, or primary care physician) who will most likely order a CT or MRI of the brain and orbits to rule out a potential tumor.

Again, most cases of eye twitching are fairly benign and typically go away after a couple of months when the stress level or caffeine intake or sleep deprivation is reduced.
George A Markakis
2 UpVoted this answer George A Markakis, MD, MS Ophthalmologist, Cleveland
Many things can make your eyes twitch. Dryness often is the cause; however if you are having additional symptoms you should review this with your primary care doctor. If they find no other cause tears and Botox injections can also be used to resolve this.
Edward H. Jaccoma
1 UpVoted this answer George A Markakis, MD, MS Ophthalmologist, Cleveland
Twitching of eyelids or involuntary contractions of the muscles around the eye specially the upper eye lid can be very annoying.

No definite cause has been found. Most commonly occurs under stress, fatigue, excess of caffeine intake, lack of sleep. Could be associated with dry eyes and corneal epithelial damage. In persistent cases and when accompanied with facial spasms, light sensitivity and partial or total closure of the eye, injection of Botox is helpful. It is a good idea to consult your Ophthalmologist if twitching persists longer than a week, eyelid droops, or eyelids show redness, swelling or closure of eye, and if other parts of the face are involved. Recently I have given Vit B -12 injections to patients with twitching and have found it useful; although I cannot verify its validity. My reasoning is that Vitamin B-12 is a nerve tonic.

Hope this helps.
Nazhat Sharma
1 UpVoted this answer
In my practice a twitch of the eyelid normally means the body is telling you to slow down. Stress, lack of sleep, too much caffeine, lack of exercise and a need for an eye exam prescription change are the main culprits. If you can reduce stress in your life, reduce caffeine intake, begin exercising and update your prescription most of the time that limits the twitch. If you have to resort to medicines a benedryl or chloritrimeton at bedtime may help. If you are allergic to these medicines do not take them. If none of this helps you need to see a Neurologist.
Robert M. Easton
1 UpVoted this answer
Eye twitching or ocular myokymia is an annoying but not harmful condition. One of the nerve branches supply the obicularis oculi muscle which closes the lid is spontaneously firing for some reason. The cause is usually unknown, but has been related to stress, minor lid infection or a need for prescription eyewear. About 50% of the time using a topical ophthalmic antihistamine (eye drop) twice daily for three weeks will stop the twitching. It's thought that histamine may be causing an inflammatory response which triggers the nerve to fire, hence the twitch. A good topical ophthalmic antihistamine is available over the counter, under the brand name Alaway or Zaditor in the eye care section at your pharmacy.
Scott Bowser
How annoying! As noted by the other panelists, eye twitches have many possible causes, so if you continue to suffer from this irritating twitch, a visit to the optometrist could help you find out what might be the root cause (too much caffeine, anxiety, dry eye, diet, etc.). Then the two of you can develop a plan to put that awful twitch to rest. Best of luck!
Too much stress, too much caffeine, not enough sleep. any of these or a combination thereof. Relax, get some rest, and cut back on the Starbucks!
It is called myokemia. Sometimes due to lack of potassium or stress.

Try eating bananas for the potassium. It should go away on its own shortly

If it becomes severe see your local eye doctor ,
Nancy J. Schiffman