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Eyelid twitching

Eyelid twitching or muscle spasms around the eye are most often linked with fatigue or stress. The condition often is caused or made worse by drinking caffeine, smoking cigarettes, or not getting enough sleep. Jerky or jumping eye movements (nystagmus) may also look like twitching. Twitching of the eyelids will usually stop on its own in a short time and will improve with rest or reduced stress.

Call a health professional if:

  • You have constant twitching.
  • Twitching occurs with redness, swelling, discharge from the eye, or fever.
  • Twitching comes and goes and lasts longer than a week.
Author Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Editor Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor Tracy Landauer
Primary Medical Reviewer William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Christopher J. Rudnisky, MD, FRCSC - Ophthalmology
Last Updated December 6, 2007

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: December 06, 2007
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.