Headache: Is Your Eye Twitching?

Have you ever wondered if a “twitching eye” is related to your headache symptoms? Well, researchers have wondered the same thing.

Doctors usually talk about hemifacial spasm (HFS), which is a more general term that can refer to painless spasms or “twitching” in your face in general. Usually, the twitching is on one side of the face, and often starts with the eyelid.

HFS can start with twitching or involuntary blinking, just temporarily, and that may be all there is to it. But sometimes it progresses – causing changes to the whole face, and even causing the eye to completely close.

A little bit of twitching for a minute or two shouldn’t be anything to worry about. But you may be wondering, is this related to migraine, or other headaches? And what exactly is causing it?

HFS is usually caused simply by a nerve’s proximity to a blood vessel. The blood vessel pulsates, activating the nerve. This can be simply caused by muscle movement, or in rare but more serious situations could be a sign of a tumour.

In 2012 researchers in Spain did connect HFS with some migraine attacks, and they speculated about why that might be. Dilation of blood vessels? The “hyperexcitability” that happens in the migraine brain? If so, that eye twitching, though not serious, could be considered a “complication” of migraine.

In a recent article at Medical News Today, health writer Hana Ames suggested the possibility that there could be a common trigger, or at least association, between HFS and migraine or other headache conditions. For example, fatigue may trigger both, stress has been associated with both (though perhaps not the “stress” itself, but other changes that go along with it), and even caffeine.

Again, an eye twitching for a couple of minutes is no reason for concern (although – if you’ve noticed a connection to headache or migraine attacks, leave a comment!). However, if the twitching continues or spreads, or you’re noticing additional unusual symptoms, you should see a doctor. In rare but more serious cases, medication or even surgery can help.

For more information on HFS in general, check out this summary from the Mayo Clinic. There is also a good summary from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke – Hemifacial Spasm Information Page.