For the majority of us, the familiar eyelid twitch is a brief and minor annoyance. An eyelid twitch (or tic) is when you have a spasm or slight movement of your upper or lower eyelid. Eye twitching is a movement or spasm of the eyelid or eye muscles that can’t be controlled. There are different types of eye twitching, and each type of twitch has a different cause.
The most common type of eye twitching is called myokymia. This type of twitch or spasm is very common and happens to most people at some point. It can involve either the upper or lower eyelid, but usually only one eye at a time. The eye twitching can range from barely noticeable to irritating. The twitching usually goes away quickly but could happen again over a few hours, days, or longer.
Is eye twitching a symptom of a severe condition?
Most common eyelid twitches are harmless and slight and do not affect your vision. However, some neurological problems, such as blepharospasm and hemifacial spasm, can make eyelid muscles contract. These less common conditions generally tend to cause the eyelids to close more thoroughly and for more extended periods of time, limiting or completely blocking vision. Other muscles in the face may be affected as well.
What causes an eye twitch?
That annoying muscle spasm could be your body’s way of saying, “Take a break.” You’ve got a deadline to meet, and you need to focus. The only problem? Your eye won’t. Stop. Twitching. Although this distraction is primarily out of your control, there are a few things you can do to prevent and treat this frustrating flutter.
When eye twitching lasts a long time or occurs more frequently than usual, these culprits are often to blame:
- Stress
- Fatigue
- Too much caffeine or alcohol
- Eye strain or irritation
- Dry eyes
- Smoking or tobacco use
When to ask a doctor about eye twitching
See your ophthalmologist if you have ongoing eyelid twitching and gritty, uncomfortable eyes. When the twitching affects both eyes or spreads to other parts of your face, it might indicate a chronic condition.
Benign essential blepharospasm: This rare neurological condition causes uncontrollable blinking and spasms in both eyes. Eventually, this progressive condition can make it challenging to keep your eyes open and prevent you from driving or completing everyday tasks.
Hemifacial spasm: If twitching only affects one eye and moves to other areas on the same side of your face, it could be the early signs of hemifacial spasm, which is usually caused by compressed nerves.
How to stop eye twitching
Eyelid twitching usually lasts from a few hours to a few days and goes away on its own, but you can take a few simple steps to treat it at home.
Take a deep breath
Reducing stress is good for your whole body, including your eyes. Take time to recharge and release stress through self-care activities like exercise, meditation, or practicing your favorite hobbies.
Breathing exercises like square breathing are an easy way to reduce stress wherever you are:
- Start by slowly breathing in through your nose for four seconds.
- Hold your breath for four seconds.
- Slowly exhale through your mouth for four seconds.
- Hold for four seconds.
- Repeat steps 1–4 for a few rounds.
Rest up
Tossing and turning at night can lead to eye twitching during the day. Work on revamping your sleep routine and getting at least seven hours of sleep per night. Still can’t sleep? It might be time to talk to your doctor, especially before considering a sleep aid.
Cut back on caffeine
Speaking of snoozing, reaching for another espresso shot when you’re overtired is tempting, but too much caffeine can make twitching worse.
According to the FDA, most adults shouldn’t exceed 400 mg of caffeine (about four or five 8-ounce cups of coffee) per day. This limit can vary depending on factors such as how sensitive you are or whether you’re pregnant.
If you’re cutting back, it’s best to gradually reduce your caffeine intake to avoid the side effects (like headaches) that can come from quitting cold turkey.
Reduce your screen time
Whether a computer, television, phone, or tablet, most of us spend our days staring at screen after screen. Most doctors suggest giving your eyes a break by following the 20-20-20 rule.
Every 20 minutes, take a break from looking at a screen and spend 20 seconds looking at something about 20 feet away. These frequent breaks can help prevent eye strain throughout the day. If you’re going to stare at a screen at night, many devices now have options to turn on blue light filters. Not only do blue light filters help reduce eye strain, but they can also help you get a better night’s sleep.
Moisturize your eyes
Another reason to reduce your screen time is that it can dry out your eyes. When we spend our days staring at a screen, we blink less, which can lead to dry eyes and twitching. Try using artificial tears to help keep your eyes moisturized. If you wear contact lenses, dry eyes and irritation are also signs to give your peepers a break and temporarily switch to glasses.
Apply a warm compress
Preventive methods aren’t working? Applying a warm compress to your affected eye can help relax the muscles and provide relief. Eye twitching is usually nothing more than tiny muscle contractions, so using a warm washcloth and gently massaging the area can help when your muscles are tensing up. At Medical Eye Center we offer Bruder masks for purchase, these are eye masks made specifically to contour to the shape of your eye socket and are antimicrobial and made to be warmed. A Bruder mask is designed to help release any tear duct blockage that may be adding to eye discomfort, a symptom of dry eye.
When to see a doctor
If one or both of your eyes are twitching for over a few weeks or you notice other symptoms, it may be time to visit a specialist. You should check in with a Medical Eye Center provider whenever you have pain, redness, vision changes, or drooping eyelids. We can help you pinpoint a cause and provide prescription treatment options if needed.
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