Eye Twitching

Causes of eye twitching

The occasional eyelid twitch is usually nothing to worry about, but if it becomes a persistent or recurring issue there could be a few reasons why. There are several factors that could cause or aggravate the condition.

Lifestyle eye twitching causes

Eyelid twitches can occur at any time in your life, for no apparent reason. But there are a few lifestyle‑related factors that may trigger or worsen spasms, including:

• Lack of sleep or tiredness:
  
  Prolonged periods of poor‑quality or not enough sleep may disrupt your body’s natural restorative process, causing eye muscles to struggle.

• Dehydration:
  
  Not drinking enough water could affect the balance of electrolytes in your body, leading to muscle spasms, including those in the eyelids.

• Feeling stressed or anxious:
  
  When you’re stressed, high cortisone levels can impact your body causing your eye to twitch.

• Eye strain:
  
  Prolonged screen time or focusing on a task, such as reading a book, for a long time can lead to eye strain and twitching.

• Eye irritation:
  
  Allergies, such as hay fever, or exposure to smoke and wind can irritate the eyes.

• Too much caffeine or alcohol:
  
  Stimulants like caffeine and alcohol can overstimulate the nervous system, potentially triggering muscle spasms in the eyelids.

• Side effects of certain medications:
  
  Certain drugs and medications list eye twitching as a common side effect.

• Eye injury:
  
  Trauma to the eye or eyelid can result in twitching.
  
  

Eye twitching caused by an illness or condition

There are also some nerve and brain disorders that could cause uncontrollable blinking or eye movement, such as:

• Parkinson's disease:

• Tourette's syndrome:

• Bell's palsy

• Multiple sclerosis

• Hyperthyroidism

Some of these medical conditions can lead to involuntary muscle movement, including but not limited to the eye. However, even if your eye is twitching a lot, it’s unlikely you’ll be suffering from one these conditions without experiencing other symptoms.

That being said, it is always best to have them ruled out as quickly as possible. We recommend getting in touch with a medical professional if you are concerned

How to treat eye twitching

While this condition often resolves itself, understanding how to alleviate your symptoms could offer some immediate relief. Here’s some advice on how to stop a twitching eye:

Treatment isn’t usually necessary for eyelid spasms, as they typically go away on their own after a short while. However, there are some steps you can take that may ease your symptoms if they’re not going away.

• Apply a warm compress to the affected eye to try and relax the muscles.

• Consider over‑the‑counter treatments such as eye drops to treat underlying conditions such as dry eye.

• Stay hydrated and get plenty of sleep as dehydration and tiredness can make the spasms worse.

Medical treatment

Stronger and more frequent eyelid spasms could indicate a different type of eye twitch (a benign essential blepharospasm), that develops later in life, usually in both eyes. In this case, you may require specialist medical treatment to stop the twitching, including:

Your treatment options might include:

• Botulinum toxin injections:
  
  Botulinum toxin injections, such as botox, are a common and effective treatment for BEB. The toxin is injected into the affected muscles around the eyes, temporarily paralysing them and reducing eye spasms. The treatment typically lasts for several months before needing another dose. However, this treatment can be expensive and isn’t right for everyone.

• Oral medication:
  
  Some medications, such as muscle relaxants or anti‑seizure medications, can help reduce the frequency and severity of eyelid spasms. Again, this might not work for everyone and these medicines can have some side effects.

• Surgery:
  
  In acute cases of BEB that do not respond to other treatments, surgery, such as a myectomy – a procedure which involves removing some of the muscles responsible for eyelid spasms ‑ can be a good option.

• Supportive therapies:
  
  Various supportive therapies, such as stress management techniques, relaxation exercises, or the use of tinted glasses or sunglasses to reduce light sensitivity, can help alleviate the symptoms of eye twitching.

If you are worried about BEB or your eye twitching symptoms become chronic, you should make an appointment with your optometrist and GP.

How to prevent eye twitching

Eye twitching can come on out of the blue and cannot always be avoided. However, there are steps you can take that may reduce the chances of the condition occurring in the first place. Here some tips that could help keep your eyes twitch‑free:

• Get more sleep:
  
  Aim for 7‑9 hours of quality sleep each night to allow your eyes and body to rest and rejuvenate fully.

• Stay hydrated:
  
  Drink plenty of water throughout the day, especially during hot and dry weather.

• Limit your caffeine and alcohol intake:
  
  Be mindful of your intake and consider cutting back if you notice eye twitching after drinking lots of caffeine or alcohol.

• Take regular screen breaks:
  
  If you spend hours staring at digital screens, like your computer, smartphone, or tablet, try and practice the 20‑20‑20 rule: every 20 minutes, take a 20‑second break to look at something 20 feet away. This can help reduce eye strain and prevent eye twitching.

• Manage your stress levels:
  
  Taking regular breaks to relax and unwind can also help alleviate tension in the eyes and in turn reduce spasms. Prioritise stress management techniques, such as deep breathing, meditation, yoga, or mindfulness.

Conclusion

Eye twitching is usually a mild condition that can affect anyone.

If you experience eye twitching regularly, we recommend attending regular eye examinations to make sure you’re aware of any underlying conditions that could be contributing to the spasms.

Regular check‑ups with an optometrist are key when it comes to eye health and can offer further personalised advice or treatment options if your eye twitching persists.