What is astigmatism? To illustrate what astigmatism really is, compare a football to a basketball. The football has a lot of astigmatism because it is not perfectly round, whereas the basketball has none.

Similarly, two round surfaces in the eye are responsible for focusing light: the cornea and the lens, which resides just behind the colored part of the eye (the iris). If one or both of these surfaces are not perfectly spherical or round, this will cause astigmatism.

The usual site of this irregularity in the eye is the cornea. It is a normal variant and, if present, may be considered one of nature's imperfections.

Astigmatism can cause blurred vision and eye strain. Small amounts of astigmatism may be ignored, but if symptoms are present, astigmatism can be corrected by glasses or contact lenses. In most patients hard contact lenses do a better job of correcting for astigmatism than soft contact lenses, although soft "toric" contact lenses can correct small amounts of astigmatism and still provide good vision.

Blepharitis is a chronic inflammation of the margin or edge of the eyelids, and is very common. It will always be present but its severity it may fluctuate. Symptoms include redness, swelling, and itching of the eyelids and irritation and burning of the eyes. Symptoms may disappear for months or even years and then recur.

The most important factor in controlling blepharitis is keeping the eyelids and lashes clean. This can be accomplished by daily cleansing with a cotton swab soaked in a mild baby shampoo solution (a few drops of baby shampoo in a cap full of warm water). After you cleanse the lids with baby shampoo solution, then hold a warm, wet clean washcloth on the eyelids for several minutes. The best time to do this is at bedtime.

Once the symptoms are under control, the cleansing may be decreased from daily to twice weekly. However, if the symptoms return, daily cleansing should be resumed immediately. Medication is of secondary importance in the treatment. In more severe cases, an antibiotic ointment or an oral antibiotic may be prescribed to be used along with the daily cleansing.

There are two main causes of blepharitis: staphylococcus bacteria and seborrheic dermatitis. Staphylococcus bacteria normally are present on the skin starting in childhood and this continues throughout life. Common symptoms of blepharitis include flakes and scales on the eyelashes, as well as crusting, and chronic redness of the eyelid margin. Dilated blood vessels, loss of lashes, sties, and chalazia also may be seen. In severe cases, inflammation, infection and chronic scarring of the cornea and conjunctiva can occur.

Seborrheic dermatitis is secondary to overactive oil glands and it cause blockage of these oil glands and accumulate of debris along the eyelid margins. Blepharitis may be a part of an overall skin disorder that affects other areas as well. Hormones, nutrition, and the general physical condition are factors in seborrheic dermatitis.

The conjunctiva is the thin, transparent mucous membrane that covers the white part of the eye. It protects and lubricates the eyeball and also allows the eye to move easily. The conjunctiva contains many small, fragile blood vessels. Rupture of one of these small vessels or capillaries results in a subconjunctival hemorrhage. This appears as a bright red spot on the white of the eye, and may even cover the entire white of the eye.

Most of the time no symptoms accompany subconjunctival hemorrhages. Some patients, however, complain of a mild sharp pain when the hemorrhage begins. Many people become alarmed by the sudden onset of this common problem, even though it is not associated with any diseases that cause visual loss. The hemorrhage usually fades gradually over 2-3 weeks.

The most common cause of a subconjunctival hemorrhage is simple rubbing of the eyes. Raising the pressure inside the conjunctival veins by lifting heavy objects, sneezing or coughing can also cause a hemorrhage. Only rarely is the condition associated with bleeding problems. Some patients on blood thinners (anticoagulant medications) such as Coumadin or Aspirin may have an increased risk of subconjunctival hemorrhage, but these patients should NOT stop their medication simply because of a subconjunctival hemorrhage.

No treatment is ever necessary for subconjunctival hemorrhages. If there is any eye pain or loss of vision in the affected eye, a doctor should be contacted. If other areas of the body have abnormal bleeding, then a thorough medical examination and blood tests are necessary to check for bleeding disorders.

The conjunctiva is the transparent membrane that protects the eye. When you look at the white part of the eye you are really looking through the conjunctiva at the sclera, the tough, wall of the eyeball. The conjunctiva has many small blood vessels running through it. The purpose of the conjunctiva is to lubricate and protect the eye.

Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of this lining of the eye. Conjunctivitis can be caused by a number of different things: bacteria, viruses (as in "pink eye"), allergies, chemicals, and more.

Symptoms of bacterial conjunctivitis may include eye redness, swelling of the lid, a yellowish or greenish discharge, irritation, itching and mattering of the lids. One or both eyes may be involved. The bacteria that most commonly cause conjunctivitis are Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, and H. Influenzae. Lab cultures are not usually necessary to make the diagnosis.

Antibiotic drops may be used if bacterial conjunctivitis is suspected. In severe infections, oral antibiotics may be necessary. Covering the eye is not recommended, because this can further incubate the germs. If left untreated, conjunctivitis can create serious complications, such as infections in the cornea, lids, and tear ducts.

The most common infection seen in the eye doctor's office is a viral conjunctivitis. Dozens of viruses can cause this type of infection. Sometimes only the eye is infected; at other times the eye condition is part of a more generalized problem, such as the "flu" or a cold. Both eyes are usually involved, but not always at the same time. Usually symptoms are mild and not serious. Once in a while, however, the eye complaints are incapacitating and extremely bothersome.

Symptoms of viral conjunctivitis include a wide range of complaints. Redness, tearing, swelling of the conjunctiva, and a clear discharge are characteristic. Light sensitivity can also be a prominent symptom. Sometimes a lymph node on the cheek in front of the ear swells in response to the virus, (this is an important clue that the patient has viral, not bacterial conjunctivitis).

If there is involvement in the cornea, blurred vision may result. Fortunately, this blurriness resolves over a few days to weeks and rarely leaves scars. Occasionally the lids may become swollen and the patient experiences serious eye pain, and rarely there is bleeding into the lids.

Treatment is aimed at making the patient comfortable during the first few days. Cool compresses soothe the eyes and lids, pain relievers help with discomfort, and occasionally eye drops will help; but the real treatment is time and rest. Viral conjunctivitis does not respond to antibiotics, but usually resolves within 1 to 2 weeks in most cases.

Since this disease is very contagious, prevention of spread is very important. Hand washing is very important to avoid spreading the germs. Direct contact with the infected eye should be avoided. Indirect contact through hand towels, wash cloths, and clothing should be carefully avoided. Complete resolution is expected in almost all patients.

Eye abrasions are one of the most common injuries to the eye. When this occurs, the surface layer of the cornea (epithelium) is scratched, often by a fingernail, tree limb, or tool.

Abrasions are very painful. Other symptoms include excessive tearing, redness, blurred vision and light sensitivity. Treatment consists of antibiotic ointment and an eye patch or a bandage contact lens.

Small abrasions heal rapidly within one to two days, while those larger than one-third of the cornea may take several days to completely heal. It may take several weeks for the blurred vision to resolve.

It is important to not rub the eyes during the healing phase. The new cells take time to adhere well to the underlying tissue and can easily be rubbed off. When this occurs, the pain returns and repeat eye patching is necessary.

Sometimes, long after an abrasion has healed, a small area of it recurs spontaneously, often upon awakening in the morning. This is called a recurrent corneal erosion and represents an area of the epithelium that has not adhered well to the deeper parts of the cornea.

The treatment is similar to that for an initial abrasion. Sometimes the surface of the cornea is treated with a special instrument in order to help form better adhesions between the corneal layers. Extended use of bedtime ointments or lubricants may also help in preventing recurrent erosions.

The retina lines the inside of your eye and is responsible for sending images to your brain. This is similar to the film inside of a camera. When the retina pulls away from the inner wall of the eye, this is called a retinal detachment.

Symptoms may include flashing lights, a curtain or veil sensation over the vision, or many new floaters. Sometimes these symptoms are present without a retinal detachment. An eye exam is necessary if you experience these symptoms.

If a retinal tear is diagnosed, treatment is usually performed with a laser to seal down the retina with several rows of treatment spots surrounding the tear. The procedure is usually done in an outpatient setting under a local anesthetic. This usually will help to prevent a retinal detachment from developing later. If the retina is detached, surgery is performed to place the retina back into position.

Many patients who have diabetes mellitus experience temporary blurring of vision, especially when their blood glucose is very high. Patients who have had diabetes for many years may also experience more serious vision loss due to worsening of cataracts or diabetic retinopathy (DR). In DR, the retina is lacking an adequate oxygen supply, and it develops significant problems in the retinal blood vessels.

The retina lines the inside of the eye and is responsible for sending images to your brain. When the blood vessels are damaged, they may leak fluid, or may develop new and abnormal blood vessels that can bleed and turn into scar tissue. This damages the retinal and can severely worsen the vision.

Diabetic Retinopathy is the leading cause of new blindness among adults in the United States. The longer one is diabetic, the higher the incidence of developing diabetic retinopathy. Approximately 80% of people who have diabetes for 15 years or more will have some damage to their retina. With treatments available today, only a small percentage of people have serious vision problems.

There are two types of diabetic retinopathy. Background retinopathy is the earlier form of retinopathy. In more advanced stages of background retinopathy, patients may experience some blurred vision. A dilated eye exam is the only way to diagnose early retinopathy changes in your eyes.

Proliferative retinopathy causes new and abnormal blood vessels to grow on the surface of the retina. These vessels can bleed which will cause the vision to become hazy and sometimes cause a severe loss of vision. There is no pain but this stage requires immediate medical attention. New vessels may also form scar tissue and pull the retina away from the back of the eye, causing a retinal detachment. Treatment is necessary to prevent severe permanent loss of vision.

If you are diabetic, regular eye exams are very important. We recommend a dilated eye exam once a year, and more often once retinopathy is detected. The disease can improve with treatment.

Probably one of the most common problems seen in the eye doctor's office is dry eye syndrome (DES). As we age, the protective tear film on the surface of the eye decreases. This leaves the delicate tissues of the eye exposed to the drying effects of air, wind, dust and sun. The eye still makes tears; in fact, many patients complain of wet eyes and tearing with this diagnosis. That's because the dryness produces a reflex tearing in an effort to keep the eye well lubricated.

In many people the dryness is worse in the afternoon and evening. Since we blink less frequently when we read, reading can also aggravate the symptoms of dry eyes. Sometimes environmental factors play a role as well. Dry weather, either in hot or cold temperatures, deplete the eye of needed lubricants. Cigarette smoke, fumes, dust and airborne particles are common irritants. In most patients, this condition is not associated with systemic disease, but some patients also have connective tissue diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or Sjogren’s syndrome. .

Symptoms of DES include burning, stinging, aching, Itching, tearing, light sensitivity and a gritty or sandy sensation. These symptoms may come and go depending on many factors.

Treatment helps in most patients. This condition cannot be completely cured, so treatment must be ongoing. Usually artificial tears, available over-the-counter, soothe the eyes and give temporary relief. Some of the commonly used ones are Systane, Optive, Refresh, Theratears, Hypotears, Tears Naturale, and Genteal. However, there are many other brands available. If artificial tears must be used more than four times a day, then preservative-free tears are best for the eye.

The problem is that they only work for a short time and must be repeated at frequent intervals. Ointments last longer, but they usually will blur the vision and are most effective and convenient at night. Some of the eye lubricating ointments are Refresh PM, Genteal gel and Lacrilube.

Restasis (cyclosporine) eyedrops are a newer treatment for dry eyes. This drug must be used for about two to three months before it begins to improve the dry eye condition and its symptoms. It actually helps reverse the disease by reducing auto-immune inflammation that has damaged the eye’s tear-producing glands. Once Restasis has improved DES, it must be continued, or the symptoms will worsen again.

In some patients with DES, very tiny soft silicone rubber punctum plugs are placed into the tear drainage system to “plug the drain” and keep more tears on the eye surface.

Flashes and floaters most often indicate a Posterior Vitreous Detachment (PVD) which is a normal part of the aging process of the human eye. Vitreous is the jelly-like material that fills the large central cavity of the eye. It is 98% water and 2% proteins, which give the vitreous a stiff consistency similar to a thick gelatin. The vitreous loosely connects to the retina, the light sensitive layer in the back of the eye.

As we age, the watery elements in the vitreous separate from the fibrous components. As this occurs, the vitreous may condense and contract and pull away from the retina, resulting in a PVD. The resulting contracted vitreous is more mobile and frequently bumps gently against the retina, causing the characteristic "flashes" that often accompany a PVD. The "floaters" that are usually reported are from the condensed fibrous elements of the vitreous and sometimes can be from tiny pieces of retina that may have been pulled loose into the vitreous cavity by this vitreous separation. Contributing factors include age, severe nearsightedness (myopia) and injuries to the eye.

All patients who experience a recent onset of flashes and floaters should be examined by an ophthalmologist or optometrist. Most of the time nothing unusual is found, and simple reassurance is all that is needed. The flashes eventually go away, and the floaters diminish and become less bothersome with time.

However, a tear in the retina is found in about 5% of eyes with a PVD. If left untreated, these tears can lead to a retinal detachment, which is a very serious sight threatening condition that requires surgery to repair. When symptoms appear, it is important to examine the eye soon after the onset. Because retinal damage can worsen very quickly, the sooner the retinal detachment is detected, the better chance for a good outcome.

In most cases, Graves' Disease is associated with hyperthyroidism (over-active thyroid gland). The muscles and fat tissue behind the eye become inflamed, causing the eye to protrude from the orbit. This finding is called proptosis or exophthalmos, and the eye involvement in Graves' Disease is called Graves' Ophthalmopathy or Graves' Orbitopathy.

Active progression of Graves' ophthalmopathy usually continues over a 6-24 month period before stabilizing. In order to monitor the progression of Graves' disease, an ophthalmologist will measure the amount of proptosis (bulging of the eye) and eyelid retraction.

When the eye muscles become swollen, inflamed and tight, eye movement may be restricted, which can cause double vision. As the eyes protrude and the eye lids retract, the corneal surface may become dry, rough, and irregular from exposure. Since the eyelids help keep the tear film evenly distributed over the surface of the eye, when the lids are unable to completely cover the corneal surface, and the eye dries out, discomfort and vision loss can occur.

In severe cases, significant disfigurement may be experienced due to proptosis and periorbital swelling. Patients may also have functional difficulties including double vision, corneal exposure, or possible vision loss from compression of the optic nerve.

Thyroid ophthalmopathy can be sight threatening. Treatment is essential. The ophthalmologist will assess and treat the patient's individual symptoms. Some treatment options may include:

1. Prisms in eyeglasses as a treatment of small amounts of double vision.

2. Artificial tears and other lubricants to treat corneal exposure.

3. If swelling around the eye lids occurs, elevating the head of the bed or using two or more pillow may help.

4. Eyelid, eye muscle, or orbital decompression surgeries are necessary in some patients with Graves' Ophthalmopathy.

Hyperopia is present when light rays focus behind the retina, instead of on the retina. The reason for this is that the cornea is too flat or the eyeball is too short. This is often inherited. It is often called "farsightedness" by laypersons, but this is an inaccurate term. Patients with hyperopia often do have blurred vision at near, but many also have blurred vision at distance as well, especially in more severe cases.

Many people are not diagnosed with hyperopia until they have a complete eye exam. School screenings often do not detect this if they test for distance vision only.

Treatment includes contact lenses or glasses to correct the hyperopia.

Iritis is an inflammatory disorder of the colored part of the eye (iris). Sometimes iritis is just one symptom of a disease that affects other organ systems, such as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, other collagen vascular diseases, sarcoidosis, psoriasis, inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, and some very rare infections.

The symptoms of iritis include light sensitivity, pain, eye redness, blurred vision, tearing and sometimes floaters. Frequently, iritis is a recurrent problem. Patients and primary care doctors sometimes confuse iritis with conjunctivitis.

Therapy consists of corticosteroid eyedrops and in some cases, long-acting pupil-dilating drops. These medicines ease the inflammation and reduce the adhesions that can occur within the eye. Persistent cases may require more intensive treatment, such as corticosteroid injections around the eye, oral corticosteroids, and other oral medications.

In advanced or prolonged cases, complications can arise, such as cataracts, glaucoma, and corneal scarring. Careful observation is needed in the resolving phase to monitor potential problems and to determine the rate of reduction of the medication dosages.

Keratoconus is an uncommon condition in which the cornea becomes thin and the center protrudes. Keratoconus literally means a cone shaped cornea. This abnormal shape can cause serious distortion of vision.

The cause of keratoconus remains unknown. Although keratoconus is not generally considered an inherited disorder, the chance of a blood relative having keratoconus is thought to be as high as one in 10. Although vigorous eye rubbing is not the cause of keratoconus, it can contribute to the disease process. Therefore, patients with keratoconus are advised to avoid rubbing their eyes.

Blurring and distortion of vision are the earliest symptoms of keratoconus. Symptoms usually first appear in the late teens or twenties. The disease will often progress slowly for 10 to 20 years, then stabilize for awhile. In the early stages, the vision may be only slightly affected, causing glare, light sensitivity and irritation. This disease may affect one eye or both. As the disease progresses and the cornea steepens and scars, vision may become severely distorted.

A sudden decrease in vision may occur if the cornea swells (corneal hydrops). The cornea swells when the elastic part of the cornea develops a tiny crack, created by the strain of the cornea's protruded cone-like shape. The swelling may persist for weeks or months as the crack heals and is gradually replaced by scar tissue.

Mild cases are successfully treated with glasses or specially designed contact lenses. When vision is no longer satisfactory with glasses or contact lenses, surgery, a corneal transplant is often recommended.

Macular degeneration affects the central highly sensitive portion of the retina that is responsible for our near vision and color perception. It usually affects both eyes but often may begin in one eye.

People are usually unaware that they have macular degeneration in the early stages. Macular Degeneration does not lead to total blindness, as it only affects the central vision.

The most common symptoms include difficulty reading, blurred near vision, and distortion of straight lines. It is found most often in people over fifty years of age. If you notice these symptoms, it is important to see have an eye examination as soon as possible. Multivitamins that contain beta carotene (vitamin A), zinc, and lutein may help slow the progression of macular degeneration.

Most patients have dry macular degeneration which usually remains fairly stable, but can worsen gradually over time in some patients. The more severe type is wet or exudative macular degeneration and this involves leakage of fluid or bleeding into the retina.

There is no cure for macular degeneration, but injections of medications into the eye and various laser treatments may help to slow the progression of wet macular degeneration.

Patients over fifty or those with a family history of macular degeneration should have their eyes examined regularly.

Nearsightedness (Myopia) occurs when the light rays focus in front of the retina instead of on the retina. This is caused because the cornea is too steep or the eye is too long.

Myopia is often first detected between eight and twelve years of age. As the body grows, the myopia often increases and later stabilizes in adulthood. Changes in glasses or contact lens prescriptions are necessary during growth spurts.

The symptoms include blurred vision in the distance and difficulty seeing street signs, chalk boards, movies, television, etc. It is often diagnosed during vision screenings at school.

Treatment for myopia involves a lens (eyeglasses or contact lens) that correctly focuses the light rays onto the retina.

Ocular migraines can cause symptoms related to the common or classic migraine headaches. In fact, ocular migraines generally occur in young adults who have had a previous history of common migraines, but can occur at any age. Patients may experience ocular migraines without headache symptoms.

Symptoms of an ocular migraine often include a dark area or shimmering area or other visual disturbance which starts centrally and moves off to the side. This usually can last 10-60 minutes. Another common symptom is increased sensitivity to bright lights.

Generally, there are no serious ocular complications caused by ocular migraine. Treatment in most instances is not necessary unless the ocular migraine is linked to the common migraine and severe headaches occur.

The lens inside the eye changes shape when we look at an object up close. When we focus on a near object, the lens becomes thicker and as we look into the distance, the lens becomes thinner.

Presbyopia occurs when the lens inside of the eye loses its flexibility and the symptoms begin to occur around the age of forty, and include blurred vision with near tasks such as reading or the classic "my arms are too short" syndrome. Patients may also notice difficulty changing focus from near to far.

Nearsighted (myopic) people may be able to read better by taking off their distance glasses. Patients that are not myopic will eventually need reading glasses or bifocals for improved near vision. An eye exam will determine the strength of lens needed to improve the near vision.

A pterygium, pronounced with a silent "p", and pinguecula are quite similar to each other. They both are fairly easy to see since they grow on the front surface of the eye. The cause of each is also similar. Pterygia and pinguecula are frequently found in patients who are exposed to frequent sun, wind, or dust. Patients whose occupation or recreation requires them to be outdoors are more likely to develop these conditions.

Gender is also a determining factor. Males develop pterygia or pinguecula approximately three times more often than females. Although pterygia and pinguecula share similarities, their locations on the eye are different. A pterygium is a growth on the transparent outer layer of the eye, the conjunctiva, that grows onto the cornea. A pinguecula is actually degenerated tissue, and usually appears as a yellowish-brown mass only on the conjunctiva.

A pterygium may progress and grow further onto the cornea, and may eventually affect the vision. A pterygium may also cause tension or scarring on the cornea, inducing astigmatism. For symptoms and also for cosmetic reasons, surgical excision of a pterygium may be indicated.

Symptoms from pterygia or pinguecula may range from mild to severe, and can include blurred vision, irritation, itching, dryness, and burning.

Prevention is by far the best method of treatment. Prevention includes wearing protective hats and sunglasses when outdoors on sunny days. If treatment is necessary, artificial tear eye drops relieve redness, dryness, irritation and inflammation.

Ptosis is the medical term for noticeable droopiness of the upper lid. It has many possible causes:

1. Age
This is the most common cause of ptosis. The levator muscle that elevates the upper eyelid may stretch and become thinned as we age, and can eventually detach. Ptosis usually affects both upper lids, but often one eye appears worse than the other. Eye surgery, such as cataract removal, or a minor eye injury, may sometimes accelerate this condition.

2. Congenital
Noticed at birth or shortly thereafter, congenital ptosis is produced by a developmental abnormality in the muscles that elevate the upper lid.

3. Injury
Automobile accidents or other trauma may damage the levator muscle or the nerves controlling the muscle.

4. Neurological Diseases
Myasthenia gravis, strokes, cranial nerve palsies and other neurologic conditions may cause ptosis as well.

Symptoms of ptosis are functional as well as cosmetic. Difficulty reading and driving are common complaints. In some children with severe ptosis, amblyopia (lazy eye) may occur, so prompt diagnosis and careful follow-up are important.

Treatment usually requires surgical repair or tightening of the levator muscle.

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) refers to a group of related hereditary diseases that cause slow but progressive loss of vision. The retina is tissue that lines the inside of the eye and sends visual images to the brain. In retinitis pigmentosa, there is gradual destruction of some of the nervous sensors in the retina along with abnormal pigment clumping.

The first symptoms usually occur in youth or young adulthood although it may be first seen at any age. Night blindness and loss of side vision are the most common symptoms in retinitis pigmentosa. People with normal vision adjust to the dark after a short period of time and can distinguish forms. People with night blindness adjust to darkness very slowly, if at all. Loss of side vision (peripheral vision) is common in patients with retinitis pigmentosa.

Different patterns of heredity are associated with different degrees of progression and so an attempt to know more about the family tree will help predict how an affected person might ultimately be afflicted, though variability exists within each family.

There is no specific treatment, but a large amount of ongoing research is being done. Periodic examinations by an ophthalmologist are advised. Patients with retinitis pigmentosa may develop other treatable disease, such as glaucoma or cataract. Low vision aids may be prescribed. Despite visual impairment, patients with retinitis pigmentosa can live meaningful and rewarding lives with the many rehabilitative services that are available today.

Stye is the common term used for an acute infection of the oil glands which lubricate the eyelashes. They are located on the eyelid margins. The correct medical term is hordeolum. Sties are usually caused by the Staphylococcus germ and are very common in children and in patients with chronic eye lid infections.

Sties tend to be painful, especially in the early stages when swelling and redness. Treatment consists of frequent hot packs, and in some cases antibiotic ointment may be helpful. Rarely is surgical drainage necessary.

A chalazion is a larger nodule of inflammation that occurs in the larger Meibomian oil glands of the eyelids. These are treated in a similar manner, but sometimes require surgery, when they are large or if they persist for several months.

Trichiasis is an uncomfortable condition in which the eyelashes are misdirected toward the eyeball and scratch the cornea. The position of the lid is normal, but the lashes are pointing in the wrong direction. This can cause abrasion, infection and scarring of the cornea.

The most common cause is chronic inflammation with scarring in the eye lid. Such scarring can occur from lid infections, skin diseases, or from trauma and poor healing of the lid tissues.

Treatment by simple removal of the lashes is only temporary, because within a few months the lashes return again and irritate the eye. However, removal does provide temporary relief. Permanent destruction of the lash follicle is the only way to prevent recurrences. This can be performed with electrolysis or cryotherapy.

Most of us have occasionally noticed brief twitching in our eyelids. This is called myokymia and can be annoying, but it is not serious. This is often more noticeable with fatigue, lack of sleep, stress, or excessive use of caffeine.

If eyelid spasms are more severe, more prolonged and do not resolve promptly, other more serious conditions, such as blepharospasm or hemifacial spasm may be present. These can be effectively treated with Botox (botulinum) injections.