Blepharospasm

Alternative names:

eye twitch

Definition:

The repetitive contraction of eyelid muscles in a rhythmic fashion. In some instances, the eyelid may repeatedly close or attempt to close.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

The most common causes of muscle twitching in the eyelid are fatigue or stress. Once the spasms begin, they may continue intermittently for a day to more than a week, then disappear. Most people experience this type of eyelid twitch on occasion and find it extremely annoying. It usually stops suddenly, without you noticing.

More severe contractions with closure of the eyelid are thought to be caused by irritation of the surface of the eye (cornea) or the membranes lining the eyelids (conjunctival irritation). This type is not as common as the more minor type of lid twitching