Eyelid Twitching

What Causes Eyelid Twitch?

Eyelid twitch can have various causes, ranging in severity from 'minor' to 'needs attention'.  Finding the true cause means ruling out or confirming each possibility – in other words, diagnosis.

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Diagnosis is usually a complex process due to the sheer number of possible causes and related symptoms.  In order to diagnose eyelid twitch, we could:

  • Research the topic
  • Find a doctor with the time
  • Use a diagnostic computer system.
The process is the same, whichever method is used.

Step 1: List all Possible Causes

We begin by identifying the disease conditions which have "eyelid twitch" as a symptom.  Here are four possibilities:
  • Lack Of Sleep
  • Stress
  • Dry Eye
  • Caffeine Intoxication

Step 2: Build a Symptom Checklist

We then identify all possible symptoms and risk factors of each possible cause, and check the ones that apply:
high diastolic blood pressure
sexual abuse during childhood
very bloodshot eyes
sugar/sweet craving
dark/flushed facial coloring
regular drowsiness
paying poor attention to detail
occasional racing thoughts
long work hours
recently going through divorce
jumpiness
rotten egg burps
... and more than 70 others

Step 3: Rule Out or Confirm each Possible Cause

A differential diagnosis of your symptoms and risk factors finds the likely cause of eyelid twitch:
Cause Probability Status
Caffeine Intoxication 97% Confirm
Stress 27% Unlikely
Dry Eye 4% Ruled out
Lack Of Sleep 4% Ruled out
* This is a simple example to illustrate the process

Arriving at a Correct Diagnosis

The Analyst™ is our online diagnosis tool that learns all about you through a straightforward process of multi-level questioning, providing diagnosis at the end.

If you indicate muscle cramps/twitching or severe muscle cramps/twitching, The Analyst™ will ask further questions including this one:
Do you ever have an eyelid twitch (or 'tic') that you can not control? It may affect one or both eyelids.
Possible responses:
→ No / don't know
→ Occasional slight eyelid twitches
→ Frequent slight twitches / occasional significant
→ Frequent significant eyelid twitches
Based on your response to this question, which may indicate slight eyelid twitch, eyelid twitch or severe eyelid twitch, The Analyst™ will consider possibilities such as:
Dry Eye

Insufficient lubrication of the eye by tears may play a role.

Stress

These twitches are a spasm of the motor nerves that control the eyelids.  They are harmless and quite common, and have no medical significance.  Although their cause is not fully certain, it is widely believed that stress is a significant contributing factor.  Eyelid twitches usually go away without treatment after a short period of time, but to speed this process you should try to reduce stress.

Concerned or curious about your health?  Try The Analyst™
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