Q: Why does my eyelid twitch and is there anything I can do to stop it?

A: Twitching of the eyelids, called eyelid myokymia, is very common and typically not a serious problem. It can be maddening, though! Often it is associated with too little sleep, and/or too much caffeine. Stress seems to go along with those things too. Try focusing on good sleep hygiene. Exercise is a great sleep aid! Limit your caffeine, especially after noon. And don't worry, it will go away on its own, although it can take a while.

There are rare conditions that would warrant seeing your ophthalmologist, though. For instance, if your eyes spontaneously squeeze closed, either one eye or both, then you should see your doctor.

Hall T. McGee, M.D., Everett & Hurite Ophthalmic Association, can be reached at (412) 288-0885 or mcgeeh@gmail.com

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