Have you ever experienced a sudden, uncontrollable flickering of one eyelid during a meeting, while chatting with friends, or while watching your screen? Though it is a little annoying, weird, it is almost harmless. If you find your eye twitching, you are not alone. There are many different types of eye twitching. One of the most common types is myokymia, when either the upper or lower lid of only one eye is involved at a time [1].
In most cases, the twitch can go away on its own within a few days or weeks. But if it lasts more than that or spreads to other parts of your face, it’s time to take action. Let’s understand what’s really going on behind the flicker and how to stop eye twitching with 6 simple ways.
What Is an Eye Twitch?
Eye twitching, in technical terms, is an involuntary, repetitive spasm of the muscles around your eyelids. When it is short-lived and mild, it can be a normal reaction to fatigue, strain, or irritation. In the rare cases when the twitch becomes chronic or involves both eyes, it may indicate a more serious condition. Hence, there can be an array of causes of eye twitching.
So, while most of the eye twitching is nothing to lose sleep over (though, ironically, lack of sleep is one of the triggers), it is better to keep an eye on it.
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Common Triggers That May Cause An Eye Twitch
Here are some normal things that may suddenly trigger your eyelids and start your eye twitching:
- Eye Strain: Bright lighting from long hours on the computer, phone, or even reading without a break can cause eye strain.
- Lack of Sleep: You may have skipped dinner, worked late in the night, or binge-watched your favourite show until 2 a.m. The result may be your eyelids fluttering the next day.
- Too Much Caffeine or Alcohol: That one extra coffee, energy drink, or late-night drink may not seem big, but for some people, it can be enough to set off an eye twitch.
- Dry Eye or Irritation: Wind, pollution, allergies, or even contact lenses can cause dry or irritated eye surfaces, and that can trigger twitches, too.
- Stress or Anxiety: When your system is wired with multiple tasks, muscle twitching is bound to happen.
- Medication, dehydration, or Nutritional Imbalance: While it is less common, certain medications, dehydration, or improper nutrition can play a role in eye twitching.
6 Everyday Fixes To Follow To Calm The Eye Twitch
Thankfully, most of the time you don’t need big procedures or emergency medical attention to stop your eye twitching. These 6 practical and easy-to-follow tips can help you with eye twitching:
1. Get Better Sleep
Try to aim for consistent and good-quality sleep [2]. Avoid screens an hour before bed and keep your sleeping environment dark and calm.
2. Give Your Eyes a Break
If you are working on and on without a break on screens, follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. [3]
You can also use lubricating eye drops if your eyes feel tired.
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3. Manage Stress
Deep breathing, a short walk in nature, or meditation can help calm your mind and reduce muscle spasms.
4. Have Proper Hydration & A Balanced Diet
Drink enough water, have regular meals, and make sure to get all the essential nutrients, as deficiencies can also contribute to the cause.
5. Cut Back on Stimulants
Caffeine works as a stimulant, and if you consume too much caffeine, it may cause eyelid twitching. Hence, limiting the amount of caffeine in your daily intake or swapping it with a glass of water or herbal tea can help reduce eye twitching.
6. Use a Warm Compress
Gently apply a warm, damp cloth over your eyelid for a few minutes, as it can help relax the muscles and ease the twitch.
Final Takeaway
An eye twitch for a few minutes or days may not be a reason to get concerned, but just your body’s gentle reminder to press pause on certain habits. In most cases, it is easy to fix with a little bit of eye care and rest, as the twitch fades away on its own. But when it does not, or causes you issues in vision, it is smart to seek help.
FAQs
Q. Can eye twitching lead to other problems?
Usually, no. Most eye twitches are harmless, but persistent twitches that spread to other parts of the face or even the body can sometimes indicate serious conditions like hemifacial spasm, dry eyes, etc.
Q. Can eyelid twitching be serious?
In most cases, no. But if the twitch lasts for weeks or months and hampers your vision, shuts your eye, or you see swelling, redness, etc. It is best to talk to a doctor, who can only rule out the severity.
Q. Does increased screen time cause eye twitching?
Yes, excessive screen usage can strain the eyes and trigger twitching, especially when combined with fatigue, stress, or dry eyes. Taking regular screen breaks can help prevent this.
Q. How can you stop an eye twitch?
Most twitches resolve on their own. To ease them, try getting enough rest, reducing caffeine and stress, staying hydrated, and using lubricating eye drops if your eyes feel dry or tired. These can help stop the eye twitch.
Q. When should I be worried about my eye twitch?
If your twitching won’t go away despite the rest, eye care, and proper nutrition, or rather increases over the weeks, then it is best to go seek professional help.
References
1. Eye twitching. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/eye-twitching/basics/definition/sym-20050838.
2. Eye twitching causes and treatment. American Academy of Ophthalmology. https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/how-to-stop-eye-twitching. Published April 27, 2023.
3. Computer vision syndrome (Digital eye strain). https://www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/eye-and-vision-conditions/computer-vision-syndrome.
(The article is written by Sneha Jajoo, Intern, Clinical Health & Content, and is reviewed by Dr.Subita Alagh, Assistant Team Lead, Disease Content.)