Have you experienced a sudden twitch in your eyelid? This is a very common phenomenon but that doesn’t mean it needs no treatment. If a person gets twitches oftentimes and twitching remains for weeks or months, he/she must see an eye specialist. This could be due to a serious neurological disorder. Twitching happens when muscles contract and the eye being an extremely sensitive part that should be addressed. In this article, we will tell you about the common causes of eyelid twitching and triggers so that you can stay informed.
What Are The Causes of Eye Twitching?
Muscle contractions around the eyes(twitching) can be caused due to these triggers;
- Eye strain
- Fatigue
- Stress
- Dry eyes
- Poor nutrition
- Allergies
- Caffeine consumption
- Alcoholism
Let us explain to you all these causes one by one. This would help you understand why your eye might be twitching. Avoiding or treating the trigger would make twitch disappear.
Eye strain
As per Dr. Hemant Todkar, Senior Ophthalmologist at Ruby Hall Clinic, Pune, digital eye strain has become a very common issue these days due to the increased use of digital screens like laptops, computers, tablets, phones, etc. If you expose your eyes to any of these devices, eye strain would increase. Over time, it may lead to twitches.
- To prevent this, take a break from the screen after every 20 or 30 minutes.
- You can also wear blue light glasses to block digital eye strain.
Fatigue
If you stay awake for longer hours and deprive yourself of sleep, you are at high risk of eye fatigue that can cause twitching in the eyes. Giving your eyes the needful rest is a must. Also keep splashing water in your eyes at regular intervals to keep them cool.
Stress
Taking stress also affects your eye health. This can affect neurological functions and thus trigger muscle contraction(twitch). Thus, it is very important to relieve stress by either means. You must take short breaks in between work to relax your eyes.
Also Read: Keeping Indoor Plants Can Reduce Stress, Read More Health Benefits
Dry eyes
This is a common eye condition and highly prevalent in older adults as well as people who are largely exposed to digital screens. Those who take strong medications such as antidepressants and antihistamines are also at risk of dry eyes condition.
- If you have dry eyes, you can experience twitching.
- See a doctor get yourself checked for dry eyes if you haven’t already.
Poor Nutrition
Certain nutrients are helpful in promoting eye health and magnesium is one of them. If your diet lacks this mineral, you might suffer from eye spasms. Eating good food with high nutritional value helps in promoting eye health and keeping such problems at bay. You can also ask for nutritional supplements from an eye specialist to combat the deficiencies.
Allergies
If you are allergic to something that causes watery eyes swelling and itchy eyes, you can easily experience twitching. When you rub your eyes to ease itching, it could trigger eyelid twitching. Thus, you must control your allergic reactions by taking antihistamines or other eye medicines that can help in combating allergies.
Also Read: What Is Low-Histamine Diet for Allergy Management? Know Its Pros & Cons
Caffeine consumption
If you consume too much caffeine, you are at risk of eye twitching experience. This is a prominent trigger of eye twitching as caffeine affects neurological functions that can lead to eye spasms. Cutting down your caffeine intake including tea, coffee, decaffeinated drinks, etc. can relieve twitching. Better consume them in moderation.
The same thing happens if you overconsume alcohol. Thus, alcohol should also be limited and avoided.
Eye twitching is a common issue and experiencing it once in a while is fine but if this becomes a daily thing, you should see a doctor. These abnormal movements can increase gradually causing damage to your eyes in the long run.
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