Eye twitches are typically a mild annoyance that passes almost as quickly as they appear. They
are only an indication that you need to decompress and de-stress more often than not. Consider
an eyelid twitch as a clue to help you seek the treatment you need in the infrequent instances
when it suggests something dangerous.
What is causing my eye to twitch?
Twitching eyelids isn’t usually a sign of anything significant.
However, it can be a considerable nuisance or outright annoyance in some situations, such as
driving home from work or sitting in a meeting. Spasms that occur infrequently are prevalent.
Fortunately, they usually come to a halt on their own. However, we all have questions about why
our eyes twitch and what we may do to stop them.
The following medical disorders can cause your eye (or both) to twitch:
● Blepharospasm is a nervous system disorder that involves excessive blinking and
involuntary eye shutting. Blepharospasm is sometimes connected to an infection in the
basal ganglia, a portion of the brain that is rarely inherited. Experts believe that 20,000 to
50,000 Americans suffer from essential blepharospasm, which causes chronic eyelid
spasms that do not go away. This is a form of dystonia, a movement disorder in which
uncontrollable movements continue and frequently worsen over time.
● Hemifacial spasm is a condition that produces muscle contractions on one side of the
face, including the eyelids. Experts believe that hemifacial spasms are caused by facial
nerve irritation.
● Eyelid myokymia is a condition that affects one eye only and is less severe than
blepharospasm.
● Meige syndrome is a condition that affects people who have benign essential
blepharospasm (sometimes also called Brueghel syndrome). It occurs when the muscles
that move your eyes, lower face, and jaw contract violently and painfully. The tongue and
jaw, as well as the eyelids, spasm in those with Meige syndrome. The cause is uncertain,
although the basal ganglia in your brain are thought to blame.
Chronic eye spasm sufferers may discover that certain conditions exacerbate their twitching,
such as:
● Blepharitis is a condition that affects the eyes (swollen eyelids).
● Conjunctivitis (pink eye).
● Dry eyes
● Red-eye (red, irritated eyes).
● Uveitis
Who is most susceptible to eye twitching?
Anyone can get brief eyelid twitches, but some people are more likely to get chronic ones:
● Sex: Even though no one understands why benign essential blepharospasm and Meige
syndrome are twice as common in women or individuals assigned female at birth (DFAB)
as in males or people designated male at birth (DMAB).
● Genetics: It is possible to develop benign essential blepharospasm without a family
history, which is the case in most instances. According to studies, chronic benign
essential blepharospasm is more common in some families, but geneticists have yet to
determine which genes are responsible for the condition’s transmission. According to
geneticists, just one parent with the disease appears to be enough to pass it down.
What causes twitching of the eyes?
Your eyelid twitching might be caused by several things (besides the medical conditions
mentioned). Some examples are:
● Sunlight or bright lights
● Eye fatigue.
● Sleep deprivation.
● Sensitivity to light.
● Physical exhaustion.
● Some drugs have adverse side effects.
● Using tobacco goods or smoking.
● Alcohol.
● Caffeine.
● Stress.
Stress and exhaustion are the most typical reasons for eye twitches. Ensure you get adequate
exercise, sleep for at least seven to eight hours, and drink enough water. Most occurrences of
eyelid spasms go away after you relax, though if you’re extremely worried, it could take a few
weeks.
What can I do to stop my eye twitch?
Eyelid twitches are usually caused by stress and aren’t dangerous, although they might make it
difficult to concentrate and work. There are things you can take if your eye twitches are
bothering you.
To get rid of the cramp, try the following suggestions:
● Increase your sleep time.
● Reduce caffeine intake.
● Control your anxiety.
● Exercise.
● Quit smoking.
If you suffer essential blepharospasm and have very light-sensitive eyes, a rose tint added to
glasses called FL-41 may help.
If you’ve tried everything to relieve stress and still have eyelid twitches, you might want to seek
medical help.
Depending on your situation, your doctor may recommend one of the following treatments:
To moisturize dry eyes, use eye drops such as cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion (Restasis®).
Although oral medicines are available, they are not always practical. Trihexyphenidyl
(Tremin®), baclofen (Ozobax®), clonazepam (Klonopin®), tetrabenazine (Xenazine®), and
carbamazepine (Equetro®) are some of the medications available.
Injections of neurotoxin to calm muscles and avoid twitching.
Myectomy is an invasive procedure that includes removing a portion of the muscle to treat
severe eyelid twitching caused by essential blepharospasm. Your doctor will prescribe the
appropriate treatment for the severity of your issue until it is resolved and you are no longer
twitching.
How to keep your eyes from spasming:
● If your eyes occasionally narrow, you can take the following methods to decrease your
symptoms:
● Caffeine should not be consumed.
● Get enough rest.
● Reduce other sources of eye inflammation by reducing stress. This could be
accomplished by using eye drops.
● When required, wear sunglasses.
When should I seek medical attention for my eye twitch?
In general, seeking treatment is a good idea if you experience:
● Twitching continues for several days.
● Other portions of your face/body twitch.
● Weakness, drooping eyelids, or double vision
● Light sensitivity has improved.
● Red eyes.
● Eyelid enlargement.
● Your eye should discharge.
● Lightheadedness.
● One or both eyes have blurred or lost vision.
When does a twitch in the eye indicate something more serious?
In very uncommon circumstances, an eyelid twitch might indicate a nerve or brain issue. If your
only symptom is an eye twitch, you’re probably suffering from a random spasm brought on by
stress. If you’re having other symptoms, it could be a sign that you should contact your doctor
right soon, such as:
● Palsy of Bell
● Corneal abrasions.
● Dystonia is a neurological disorder (including facial, oromandibular, and cervical).
● Multiple sclerosis
● Parkinson’s disease is a neurological disorder.
● Tourette’s syndrome is a neurological disorder.
Eye twitches are usually just irritating. Most of the time, you should just disregard them as a hint
that you need to unwind and manage your stress. When an eyelid twitch indicates something
more serious, you should seek medical help. Do not hesitate to contact your healthcare
professional if your eye movements are irritating or concerning.
Home Treatments
● A deficiency of potassium and magnesium is one of the leading causes of eye twitching.
Bananas are high in both of these minerals. Thus, they can aid with eye spasms.
● Warm compress: Applying a warm compress to the eyelids is a quick and easy cure for
those unexpected movements of the eye.
● Splashing warm water in the eyes is another constructive way of treating the disease. You
can also use warm water to clean your lashes.
● Rosewater: Rosewater is an excellent cleaner for getting rid of eye spasms. Rosewater
should be kept in the refrigerator. Dip cotton in cold rose water and use it to compress
your tired eyes.
● Because weariness is one of the causes of your eyes shaking, this cure will provide you
with immediate relief.
● Potato: Potato has a cooling effect comparable to cucumber. Relaxes the muscles around
the eyes and provides a lot of relief. Place your eyes on the potato slices after cutting
them into small, thin pieces.
● Take some time to relax.
● Occasionally, flush your eyes with cold water.
● Take a break from computers and electronics now and then.
● To remove stress from your eyes, massage your hands together and lay them over your
eyes.
● Drink plenty of water (at least 8-10 glasses per day) to stay hydrated.
We at Dr Kamdar Eye Hospital are dedicated to offering our patients professional high-quality
services, as well as a safer atmosphere, a better experience, and the certainty of living a lovely
life with refined eyesight.