If you have ever noticed your eye twitching, you’re not alone. Most people experience mild eye twitching once in a while.
The majority of the time, it’s simply a temporary muscle movement that stops as suddenly as it started. However, it may be a sign of an underlying health condition in rare cases.
Keep reading to learn more about why your eyes twitch and whether you should be concerned.
Why Do Eyes Twitch?
Eye twitching can be annoying, but the good news is that it’s usually harmless. One of the most common types of eye twitching is called eyelid myokymia.
It’s usually marked by slow muscle twitches, often in the lower eyelids and surrounding facial muscles. Another cause of eye twitching is fasciculation, which is when the muscles around the eye rapidly twitch.
These episodes of eye twitching are usually brief and end without any need for treatment. There are no known causes for myokymia or fasciculation, but some factors can increase the likelihood of them happening, including:
- Stress or anxiety
- Sleep deprivation or fatigue
- Stimulants like caffeine or nicotine
- Certain medications
- Light sensitivity or exposure to bright lights
- Eye strain
- Dry eyes
- Allergies
How to Treat Eye Twitching At Home
Mild, occasional eye twitching doesn’t usually require treatment. You can manage eye twitching at home by resting your eyes or using over-the-counter lubricating eye drops.
You can also help prevent eye twitching by getting plenty of rest and avoiding eye strain. Limiting caffeine consumption may help prevent eye twitches, as well as reducing or quitting the use of nicotine products.
When to See Your Eye Doctor About Eye Twitching
If you have occasional episodes of eye twitching that resolve on their own, you should mention it to your eye doctor at your next eye appointment. They can check your eyes and suggest ways to minimize future eye twitching.
You should see your eye doctor as soon as possible if you have twitching or eyelid movements that interfere with your vision. You may have a condition called blepharospasm.
Blepharospasm causes spasms that only affect the eyelids, not the surrounding muscles. It’s usually not serious, but in some cases, it can cause the eyelids to be partially closed for long periods of time.
This causes vision impairments that can make daily activities difficult. Your eye doctor may suggest treatment options such as Botox injections to immobilize the affected muscles or surgery.
If your eyes twitch or move in uncontrolled, erratic ways, you should call your eye doctor immediately. This kind of movement, called nystagmus, can happen due to fatigue or intoxication.
It may also be a sign that you need to update your prescription for glasses or contacts. In rare cases, it may be a sign of a neurological disorder.
Your eye doctor can examine your eyes and determine the root cause. You should also see your eye doctor if eye twitching is becoming more frequent or affecting more parts of your face.
They can evaluate your eyes and surrounding muscles for possible causes. Your eye doctor may refer you to a specialist for further evaluation in this case, as unusual movements of facial muscles can happen due to serious underlying health conditions such as:
- Overactive thyroid
- Bell’s palsy
- Viral infections
- Multiple sclerosis
- ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease)
- Brain cancer
- Parkinson’s disease
Do you want to get to the bottom of your eye twitching? Schedule an appointment at Metro Eye Care in Paramus, NJ, today to undergo an eye exam and get the answers you need!
