A twitching eyelid could be a lesser known sign of High Blood pressure (Hypertension)

Excess caffeine, lack of sleep, and stress — these are a few reasons why your eyelids may be twitching. And while a twitch here and there is generally harmless, some twitching should prompt you to see your eye doctor.

HIGH blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is the second biggest risk factor for premature death. It is often indicated by chest pain and difficulty breathing.

In rare cases, a twitching eye may be an early sign of a neurological disorder such as blepharospasm (an abnormal blinking or spasm of the eyelids) or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Twitching eye conditions that are more serious, such as those in which the eyelid completely closes and has severe contractions, are often caused by irritation of the cornea (the surface covering the iris and pupil) or the conjunctiva (the membrane that lines the eyelids and white of the eye).

This makes knowing the warning signs of the condition even more important, since it’s a risk factor for heart attacks and stroke. The most common indicators are difficulty breathing, irregular heartbeat and a severe headache. However, a twitching eyelid could also be a symptom. If blood pressure goes up it can cause blood vessels to pulsate. This can irritate nerves in our eyes which can cause the eyelid to twitch. Also called an eyelid spasm or blepharospasm, it’s proper term is myokymia.

Treating Twitching Eyes

In most cases, a minor eyelid twitch does not require treatment and will go away on its own. In some instances, just going to the eye doctor for an evaluation can help alleviate symptoms.

Doing what you can to reduce stress, getting more sleep, and cutting down on your caffeine intake can help relieve twitching eye. You can also try warm compresses to relax the muscles around the eyes.

If the eyelid twitch is severe, your doctor may refer you to a neuro-ophthalmologist, who may offer you provides botulinum toxin injections, otherwise known as Botox, to temporarily stop the spasms. Surgical options, such as a myectomy — a procedure that involves removing or cutting some of the muscles and nerves of the eyelids — may relieve some symptoms of severe blepharospasm.

According to the Mayo Clinic, it can involve either the upper or lower eyelid, but only one eye at a time.

It can range in severity from barely noticeable to very irritating, and it may go away after a short period or last for hours. However, it may not always be a sign of high blood pressure. Alternatively, it could be a sign of burn-out. Indeed, the Mayo Clinic list stress as a main cause.

So don’t get stressed about a little twitch. But if symptoms persist and are bothersome, see your doctor to rule out more serious eye and neurological problems.