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Problem Solved
It has happened to many of us. While in the middle of work, a study session or just spending time with friends, your eyelid flutters for no apparent reason.
At first, it may be nothing more than a subtle quiver, but sometimes it becomes bothersome enough you can’t ignore it anymore. Some people experiencing it feel self-conscious and wonder if something more serious is going on.
The good news is that eye twitches are surprisingly common, usually harmless and more often than not resolve on their own. Still, they can be persistent and distracting enough to raise concern. They may even signal an underlying condition.
Here’s how common eye twitching really is, what causes it and how to stop it once it starts.
How common is eye twitching?
“While there are different things that could be considered eye twitching, most of the time people are referring to eyelid myokymia,” says Dr. Heather Moss, a neuro-ophthalmologist at the Byers Eye Institute at Stanford. She explains that “eyelid myokymia is tiny twitching of the muscles in one lid of one eye at a time.” Usually, such twitching is periodic, self-limited and lasts only seconds. But occasionally, it can persist on and off for minutes or even hours. Sometimes the contractions become chronic and continue for several days or even a few weeks before resolving.
Most people experience this mild form of twitching at some point in their lives. In fact, data shows it to be the most common type of facial myokymias.
A rarer condition that causes eye twitching is known as blepharospasm and involves “forceful, involuntary closure of both eyes at the same time,” Moss says. She notes that blepharospasm can range from mild to debilitating. “It can make people functionally blind if their eyes are constantly closing,” she says.
Nystagmus is another eye-twitching condition that “can be caused by an inner ear or brain problem and should be investigated,” adds Moss.
What causes eye twitching? Why does my eye keep twitching?
In cases of eyelid myokymia, the exact cause isn’t fully understood. It’s usually “benign, as long as it isn’t experienced in other muscles,” says Moss. But several well-recognized factors are thought to trigger it. For instance, excessive caffeine, nicotine or alcohol can make the tiny muscles around the eye more prone to involuntary contractions. Prolonged reading or screen time can also lead to eye strain, while dryness, irritation or exposure to bright light and environmental irritants may further aggravate the twitch. Stress and lack of sleep can also play a part, as shown in research finding that 44% of medical students had signs of it in the week before exams.
In less common cases, persistent or severe eyelid twitching can stem from neurological or ocular conditions. For instance, multiple sclerosis or Parkinson’s disease can present with facial twitching.
Sometimes, eye twitching can also reflect a systemic imbalance. For example, nutrient deficiencies such as not getting enough magnesium, potassium or vitamin B12 can affect nerve and muscle function, making twitches more likely. Certain medications, such as those used for asthma or epilepsy, may have twitching as a side effect. Allergies that cause frequent eye rubbing or inflammation can also aggravate eyelid muscles.
Research shows that gender and cold weather are other modest risk factors for chronic eyelid myokymia. Women appear to experience it slightly more often, likely due to hormonal fluctuations that affect nerve excitability and tear film stability, especially around perimenopause. And cold or dry climates can exacerbate ocular surface dryness, increasing irritation and making twitches more likely to recur.
How to stop my eye from twitching
For most people, “neither eyelid myokymia nor blepharospasm need to be treated if they’re not interfering with quality of life,” says Moss. But in many cases, a few simple lifestyle adjustments are enough to stop or prevent twitching. “For eyelid myokymia, avoiding triggers like dehydration, caffeine and stress can be helpful,” Moss notes. Getting adequate sleep, relaxation techniques, mindfulness meditation or light exercise can also be helpful in calming overactive muscles.
Taking regular breaks from screens and using the 20-20-20 rule of looking at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes can also reduce eye strain. Moss says that staying hydrated and using eye drops can further ease dryness and irritation.
Chronic cases of eye twitching may require medical treatment. This may include oral medications, or, in rare situations, surgery. “And both eyelid myokymia and blepharospasm respond well to injections of botulinum toxin in the affected muscle,” adds Moss.
In the end, most eyelid twitches are benign and resolve once the underlying triggers are addressed, but pay attention if the twitch becomes persistent, painful or disruptive. “If it is interfering with quality of life, if other facial muscles are involved or if there are other associated symptoms,” Moss emphasizes, seek medical attention.
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