When Is Eye Twitching Serious?

When you experience an eye twitch, it’s common to be concerned. Not only is the sensation uncomfortable or bothersome, but it’s hard to tell if the eye twitching is benign or related to a serious condition.  

If you are dealing with eye twitching and want to understand the cause, learn how to stop the twitch, and determine whether you need to see a doctor, here’s what you need to know.  

What Is an Eye Twitch?  

Eye twitching – also called blepharospasm – is a type of movement disorder. It causes involuntary movements around the eye, including involuntary blinking or trembling. Usually, the eye twitch is an annoyance but isn’t painful. Additionally, they typically stop on their own, though it can take a while for that to happen.  

Common Causes of Eye Twitching  

Eye twitching can be caused by a variety of situations, many of which are benign. Some of the most common reasons a person may experience an eye twitch include:  

  • Fatigue or Tiredness  
  • Stress or Anxiety  
  • Eye Strain  
  • Caffeine Consumption  
  • Nicotine Consumption  
  • Alcohol Consumption  
  • Medication Side Effect  

In those situations, the eye twitch usually resolves itself in some time. For example, after resting, a fatigue or eye strain-related twitch can subside.  

However, eye twitching can also be a symptom of certain medical conditions, some of which are serious. Here are some of the medical conditions that can have eye twitching as a symptom:  

  • Parkinson’s  
  • Multiple Sclerosis  
  • Bell’s Palsy  
  • Stroke  
  • Dystonia  
  • Tourette’s Syndrome  
  • Meige Syndrome  
  • Brain inflammation  
  • Corneal Abrasion  
  • Blepharitis  
  • Uveitis  
  • Conjunctivitis  

In these cases, a medical professional’s treatment is essential, not just for stopping the twitch. Without treating the underlying condition, symptoms can continue or worsen. Additionally, some of the conditions above can be fatal if left untreated.  

How to Stop an Eye Twitch  

In many cases, eye twitches caused by strain, fatigue, or tiredness will resolve on their own, particularly after some rest. For stress, relaxation exercises could make a difference. With anxiety, following your treatment regimen for acute episodes may provide relief. When it comes to consumption-related eye twitches, waiting for the substance to exit your system may be necessary to get relief from the eye twitch.  

However, if it’s related to a medical condition, treating the underlying condition might be necessary to alleviate the twitch long-term. If you have any of those conditions and are experiencing an eye twitch, you’ll need to work with your doctor to determine how best to alleviate the symptom.  

When to See a Doctor About Eye Twitching  

If you have a twitch lasting for more than 72 hours, spasms that also involve additional facial muscles, spasms preventing you from opening one or both eyes, signs of inflammation, symptoms of an eye infection, or pain, it’s best to see your doctor about your eye twitch right away.  

Additionally, if you have symptoms of any of the conditions above, you should also immediately see your doctor. If you’re experience drooping of facial muscles, slurred speech, or other signs of a stroke, call 911.  

Once you see a doctor, they can determine the root cause of the eye twitch. Then, they can create an appropriate treatment plan to address the underlying cause. This can include anything from medications to lifestyle changes to other forms of treatment, depending on the condition involved.  

Your Eye Health is Our Priority 

At ECVA, our staff works diligently to care for the eye health of our patients. If you haven’t had an eye exam recently or are concerned about an eye twitch, schedule an appointment at your closest ECVA clinic today. 

Family looking at eyeglasses

Strabismus (Crossed Eyes), Causes and Treatment

child receiving an eye exam

Strabismus – the technical term for crossed eyes – is a condition where a person’s eyes don’t point in the same direction simultaneously. Typically, it presents with at least one eye pointing up, down, in, or out compared to the other. However, both eyes can be affected.  

If you wonder what causes strabismus and what treatment options are available, here’s what you need to know.  

Risk Factors for Strabismus  

Generally, strabismus is caused by poor eye muscle control or development. For childhood strabismus, the exact reason for its occurrence isn’t always known. However, the condition tends to run in families, which could suggest a genetic component.  

Certain medical conditions may make strabismus more likely in both children and adults. For example, any muscle or nerve impacting illness could increase the occurrence of strabismus, as well as premature birth. Connective tissue disorders may be responsible, as well as brain or eye tumors.  

Head injuries can also cause crossed eyes if the movement controlling muscles or nerves are damaged. Graves’ disease or a stroke can lead to the condition as well.  

For adults, blood vessel or eye damage can be responsible. Additionally, farsightedness, cataracts, or other conditions that cause the eyes to try and compensate for vision problems may lead to strabismus development.  

Strabismus Testing  

At times, identifying strabismus is fairly straightforward. If the eyes don’t point in the same direction, strabismus is the likely diagnosis.  

However, additional tests are usually conducted to confirm strabismus. For example, your eye doctor may take turns covering each eye, allowing them to assess how each one turns and to what degree. It also allows them to determine under which conditions the turn happens.  

Strabismus Treatment Options  

Several strabismus treatment options available, though which one is best may depend on the severity of the condition. For mild strabismus, glasses may be all that’s necessary. For example, the lens over the impacted eye can be made with a prism, alleviating any symptoms while wearing their glasses.  

In some cases, wearing a patch over the stronger eye (if one is unaffected) may help. It forces the weaker eye to do more work, potentially strengthening it and leading to better alignment. Certain kinds of eye exercises may also have a similar impact.  

For many cases, strabismus correction surgery is necessary. With this, the eye muscles are adjusted to improve alignment. After surgery, additional vision therapy may be needed to enhance eye coordination and reduce the chances of a reversion.  

If you or a loved one may have strabismus, it’s wise to make an appointment with your eye doctor right away. They can assess the severity of the condition and choose an appropriate treatment option, ensuring the misalignment is compensated for or corrected before it becomes more severe.  

Western New York’s Best Eye Doctors 

At ECVA, our staff works tirelessly to care for the eye health or our patients. If you suspect strabismus, schedule an appointment at your closest ECVA clinic today.