Have you ever experienced an eye twitch? We all can agree they are annoying! Take a look at this article from kyforward.com by By Dr. Dawn Stratton. She explains some causes of why eyelid twitches happen.
What is an 'eye twitch'?
Eye twitching, eyelid tics and spasms are pretty common. Sudden-onset eyelid twitching is almost always benign, meaning the condition is not serious or a sign of a medical problem. Usually only the bottom lid of one eye is involved, either the right eyelid twitches or the left eyelid twitches, but the top eyelid also can twitch. Eye twitches usually come and go, but they can last for weeks or even months. The best option for making the twitching stop is figuring out the cause.
What can cause eye twitching?
- Stress: Eye twitching can be one sign of stress, especially when it is related to vision problems such as eye strain. Reducing the cause of the stress can help make the twitching stop.
- Tiredness: A lack of sleep, whether because of stress or some other reason, can trigger eyelid spasms.
- Eye strain: Vision-related stress can occur if you need glasses or a change of prescription. Or, eye strain may be caused by overuse of computers, tablets and smartphones. If you spend a lot of time on the computer, talk to your eye doctor about special computer eyeglasses.
- Caffeine and alcohol: If your caffeine (coffee, tea, soda, etc.) and/or alcohol intake has increased and you are having twitches, it might be due to the fact that it's a stimulant.
- Dry eyes: More than half of the older population experiences dry eyes. Dry eyes also are very common for people who use computers, take certain medications (antihistamines, antidepressants, etc.), wear contact lenses and consume caffeine and/or alcohol.
- Nutritional imbalances: A lack of certain nutritional substances, such as magnesium, can trigger eyelid spasms. If you suspect a nutritional deficiency may be affecting you, contact your family doctor for expert advice.
- Allergies: Allergies are almost inevitable. When your eyes are rubbed, this releases histamine into the lid tissues and the tears. Some evidence indicates that histamine can cause eyelid twitching.
How do I reduce or stop eyelid twitching?
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, it’s recommended to be more conscious about your daily habits that might stimulate eye twitching.
- Get enough sleep to reduce stress and fatigue
- Find stress-reducing activities such as meditation to take mindful breaks throughout the day
- Limit caffeine intake from beverages such as coffee, soda, and/or tea
[Content updated January 2019]