What causes persistent twitching or fluttering of the eyelid?
Sep 16, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Wang Shuai
Introduction
In general, persistent twitching or spasms of the eyelid are mainly caused by eye strain, mental stress, eyelid spasms, facial muscle spasms, dry eye syndrome, etc. If discomfort occurs, it is recommended to seek timely medical evaluation and treatment at a reputable hospital. In daily life, it is important to manage eye usage reasonably, avoid staying up late, maintain emotional stability, and learn effective ways to relieve stress.
Under normal circumstances, the main causes of persistent eyelid twitching include eye strain, mental stress, eyelid spasms, facial muscle spasms, dry eye syndrome, and others. If discomfort occurs, it is recommended to seek timely medical evaluation and treatment at a reputable hospital. Specific explanations are as follows:
1. Eye Strain
Prolonged screen time and staying up late can cause sustained tension in the eye muscles and increased nerve excitability, leading to eyelid twitching. To prevent this, reduce screen time, take a 5-minute break every 40 minutes of visual work, perform eye exercises to relax the eye muscles, and ensure 7–8 hours of sleep each night.
2. Mental Stress
Chronic anxiety and high stress levels may disrupt nerve function, causing abnormal electrical discharges in the nerves controlling eye muscles, resulting in eyelid twitching. Managing stress through physical exercise, listening to music, maintaining emotional stability, avoiding excessive tension, and soaking feet before bedtime can help relax both body and mind.
3. Eyelid Spasms
Involuntary contractions of the muscles around the eyes, often related to neurological dysfunction, manifest as frequent eyelid twitching that may interfere with vision. Under medical guidance, medications such as compound tropicamide eye drops, mecobalamin tablets, and vitamin B1 tablets may be used. Local warm compresses can also help; in severe cases, botulinum toxin injections may be required.
4. Facial Muscle Spasms (Hemifacial Spasm)
Compression or irritation of the facial nerve leads to involuntary twitching of facial muscles, including those around the eye, typically starting from the eyelid and gradually spreading to the cheek. Under medical supervision, medications such as carbamazepine tablets, oxcarbazepine tablets, or gabapentin capsules may be prescribed. When medication is ineffective, microvascular decompression of the facial nerve may be performed. After surgery, avoid exposing the face to cold temperatures.
5. Dry Eye Syndrome
Insufficient tear production or excessive tear evaporation causes ocular surface dryness, which irritates the eye muscles and triggers eyelid twitching, often accompanied by dryness and a foreign body sensation. Under medical guidance, artificial tears such as sodium hyaluronate eye drops, polyethylene glycol eye drops, or carboxymethylcellulose sodium eye drops may be used. Avoid prolonged exposure to air-conditioned environments to minimize tear evaporation.
In daily life, it's important to manage visual workload wisely and avoid staying up late; maintain emotional balance and learn effective stress-relief techniques; keep eyes moisturized and avoid dry environments; and undergo regular eye examinations to detect and address eye problems early.
