Twiching below my right eye on the top of cheek bone

[Jlynn53]

Hi - the area below my eye right at the top of my cheek bone started spasming/twiching on Saturday (4 days ago).  It is a constant spasm.  I actually really can't feel it but I can see it when Iook in the mirror.  Any suggestions on what may be causing this.  I have had normal eye twitches before in my eye lids but never where the bad of my eye is above the cheek bone.  Just curious.  Thank you so much

[Adult Neurology, M.D.]

Thanks for using the forum. I am happy to address your questions, and my answer will be based on the information you provided here. Please make sure you recognize that this forum is for educational purposes only, and it does not substitute for a formal office visit with a doctor.

Without the ability to examine and obtain a history, I cannot tell you what the exact cause of the symptoms is. However I will try to provide you with some useful information.

In the majority of cases, such localized twitches and spasms are benign and temporary. They may be caused by electrolyte disturbances, anxiety, stress or high caffeine intake. It is important to cut back on these.

However if it persists for more than a few days or if it gets severe then one differential to consider is something called hemi-facial spasm. It is a disorder characterized by frequent involuntary contractions of the muscles on one side of the face. The disorder occurs in both men and women, although it more frequently affects middle-aged or elderly women. It is much more common in the Asian population.  The first symptom is usually an intermittent twitching of the eyelid muscle that can lead to forced closure of the eye. The spasm may then gradually spread to involve the muscles of the lower face, which may cause the mouth to be pulled to one side. Eventually the spasms involve all of the muscles on one side of the face almost continuously. The condition may be caused by a facial nerve injury, or a tumor, or it may have no apparent cause. Most often hemifacial spasm is caused by a blood vessel pressing on the facial nerve at the place where it exits the brainstem. Treatments include medications, Botox injections and microvascular decompression surgery.

Again, most likely your localized twitching will resolve on its own. If it doesn’t or it gets worse, I would advise going to your PCP, have some routine blood tests run and if he/she deems it is warranted, then you can be referred to a specialist.

Thank you for this opportunity to answer your questions, I hope you find the information I have provided useful, good luck.

[Jlynn53]

Hi I pray you get answers! It's unnerving when things like this happen! I pray they can figure out what's wrong.

[faulty23]

I i am male, 32 years. It happens to me also. But experienced it on my left side of the face. My chick goes little up and even mouth also stretch on left. Gone through MRI and EEG long back and every thing is fine. Some time my speech also seems little different. Please help.