Eyelid twitching or myokymia is a very common disorder of involuntary movement of the eyes and face. Traditionally in India it has know to be an ominous sign, depending on which side eye lid is twitching. Right and left eye lid twitching are supposed to bring good luck or bad fortune. In Hindi generally patient says Aankh phadak rahi hai.
At times it can be very subtle and not visible and is only felt. Where as other times it can be seen prominently. Commonly lower eye lid is involved but it can involve even the face.
What are the types of Eyelid twitching
So medically these are called focal muscle dystopias of the face. Commonly there are 3 types of facial dystonia:
1. Eyelid Myokmia or simple eyelid twitching
These are generally seen on the lower eye lid. Sometimes they can be very fine and not visible to the naked eye. They are sporadic and intermittent and don’t last for a long time.
2. Benign Essential Blepharospam (BEB)
Here the patient generally complaints of involuntary closure of both eye lids. It also manifest as frequent blinking. In some cases patient may be unable to open his eye lids on his won and would use his hands to open the eyelids. They may be precipitated by stress abd fatigue and patient may feel better after sleeping. They may even have watering from eye life.
3. Hemifacial Spasm (HFS)
HFS is characterised by twitching of one side of the face. In addition to eye lid muscles even the facial muscle twitch here.
Some times eye twitching may be a sign of dryness, allergy. But other times it may be associated with neurological and even oncological causes.
Hence its very important to meet your eye doctor.
Neurological causes like Parkinsonism may have twitching of the face.
What are the treatment options
If the symptoms are mild and not affecting then just observation and evaluation is needed. Next step is to address the issues around the lid and the lid margins by ointments, gels and anti allergic eye drops. Avoiding stress and anxiety is also very important. We sometimes advice patients to avoid coffee, caffeinated beverages like Energy drinks and even dark chocolates. If the disease is causing discomfort or social embarrassment and is severe and persistent then treatment with Botulinm toxin injections are needed.
You can visit us in Mumbai or Thane for the best eye doctors. Dr. Anuj Soni is one of the best Ophthalmolgist in Thane and Mumbai area. Dr. Asmita Soni is our consulting Retina surgeon who visits Thane and Kandivili. Dr. pritesh Shetty is a visiting lid specialist surgeon who visit both our centres