How a twitching eye could be a sign of something serious – and when to see your GP

EVER felt your eye twitch uncontrollably?

This common sensation, which is normally felt in the upper eyelid, is usually nothing to worry about.

A minor twitch is usually associated with everyday tiredness, stress or too much caffeine.

But in some cases it can be a sign of something more serious.

1. Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson's disease is a condition in which parts of the brain become progressively damaged over many years.

Uncontrollable tremors are tell-tale sign of the neurological condition, according to the NHS.

Eye tremors could actually be an of the disease, according to one 2012 study.

2. Brain tumour

Cancer of the brain can have different noticeable side-effects depending on where in the brain the tumour is based.

Eye twitching is another clear indicator that a brain tumour might be present, according to the .

This symptom is more likely to occur if the tumour develops in the temporal lobe, occipital lobe or brain stem - all of which can have an impact on vision.

3. Multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a lifelong condition that affects the brain and nerves.

In some rare cases, people with the condition experience eye twitching, according to the .

If eye twitching is caused by MS, it usually occurs alongside other more common signs of the disease, such as fatigue, numbness, muscle weakness and slurred speech.

4. Bell’s palsy

Bell's palsy is a condition that causes sudden weakness in the muscles on one side of the face.

In most cases, the weakness and face paralysis is temporary and significantly improves over weeks.

While experiencing the condition, people may notice a slight eye twitching accompanied by a headache, the NHS says.

5. Dystonia

Dystonia is the umbrella term given for conditions which cause uncontrolled and sometimes painful muscle movements.

Dystonia can affect different parts of the body, and for some, it affects the eyes - this is called blepharospasm.

It's usually a lifelong problem, but treatment can help relieve the symptoms, according to the NHS.

When to see a doctor?

Most minor twitches go away on their own within a few weeks, according to the NHS.

It might help to get plenty of rest and cut back on alcohol, tobacco, and caffeine.