It is also called as myokymia and it is defined as repetitive, involuntary spasm of the eyelid muscles. It generally occurs in the upper lid, but it can occur in both the upper and lower lids. For some people it can be very mild and for some, it may be strong enough to force both eyelids to close completely, this is a different condition called blepharospasm.

It is harmless and painless, but it may bother you. Usually, they don’t need any treatment and resolve on their own.

Causes

It may occur without any identifiable cause. It may be caused or made worse by:

• Eye irritation
• Eyelid strain
• Fatigue
• Lack of sleep
• Physical exertion
• Medication side effects
• Stress
• Use of alcohol, tobacco, or caffeine

It is more common in women than in men. Sometimes it can be symptoms of serious brain or nerve disorder. Brain and nerve disorders that may cause eyelid twitches include:

• Bell’s palsy
• Dystonia
• Cervical Dystonia
• Multiple sclerosis
• Parkinson’s disease
• Tourette’s Syndrome

You should visit a doctor if:

• An eye is red, swollen, or has an unusual discharge.
• The upper eyelid is drooping.
• Every time when its twitch it closes completely.
• Twitching continues for several weeks.
• Twitching begins affecting other parts of the face.

Treatment

It goes away on its own without treatment in a few days or weeks. To ease eye twitching, you might want to try the following:

• Drink less caffeine
• Get adequate sleep
• Apply a warm compress to eyes when spasm begins.