Eyelid twitching is a common eye condition that is characterized by uncontrolled contractions of the muscles in the eyelids. The following write-up provides information on the common causes of under eye twitching along with self-care measures that must be followed to prevent this eye problem.
The term ‘eyelid myokymia’ refers to the involuntary contractions of the muscles, especially in the lower eyelid. More often than not, involuntary eye muscle spasms come and go in a sporadic manner, and usually last for a few minutes or hours. However, eyelid twitching could sometimes last for a few days. Spasmodic involuntary movement of the muscles of the lower eyelid is usually harmless and resolves on its own. Though it is possible that excessive eye strain may be triggering the episodic rhythmic or repetitive contraction of the eyelid muscles, eyelid twitching could even be a sign of certain eye ailments.
Causes
In a majority of cases, disorders or ailments that we suffer from, occur as a result of unhealthy lifestyle choices that we make. A variety of lifestyle-related issues could be responsible for affecting our physical as well as emotional health in an adverse manner. For instance, eye fatigue, pain or twitching could occur due to excessive eye strain. Here are some of the common reasons for twitching under the eye.
Lack of Sleep/Stress
A good night’s sleep is extremely important for rejuvenating the tired muscles of the body. There are times when we are busy at workplace and have to work for long hours in order to meet the deadlines. If you are under stress due to work and are unable to give rest to your eyes or don’t get adequate sleep, the body begins to show signs of fatigue. Inadequate sleep coupled with physical exertion and stress can certainly have an adverse effect on the eyes. When eyes are tired, one could suffer from involuntary contractions in the muscles of the lower eyelids.
Eye Strain
Do you sit for long hours while working on your computer? Eyes can get fatigued owing to intense use. Tasks such as reading a book, watching television or working on a computer for long stretches of time are visually intense tasks that are most likely to cause eye strain. If you have the habit of looking at the computer monitor without blinking, your eyes would definitely be under a lot of strain. Muscle exhaustion that may be brought on by eye strain could be responsible for causing eyelid twitching.
Dietary Habits
Sometimes eyelid twitching might be triggered by poor dietary habits. For instance, excessive intake of caffeinated drinks and alcohol is believed to be a contributory factor for eyelid twitching. It’s possible that your diet might not be providing you with the essential nutrients. Nutritional imbalance or deficiencies may be responsible for causing twitching under the eye.
Medical Conditions
Sometimes eyelids may twitch due to an eye condition one may be suffering from. It is therefore essential to ascertain if an underlying medical condition is responsible for causing eyelid twitching.
- People suffering from dry eyes syndrome might experience muscle spasms. You might experience twitching under the eyes if your eyes are inflamed or irritated.
- Twitching might be a symptom of neurological disorders such as Bell’s palsy, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease or extreme forms of eyelid spasms called benign essential blepharospasm (involuntary spasms of the eyelid muscle that cause the eyes to close) or hemifacial spasms (spasms or twitching on one side of the face).
Home Treatment
Let’s take a look at some of the simple home remedies or precautionary measures that can be followed to treat or prevent eyelid twitching.
Warm/Cold Compress
If twitching is caused by eye strain and fatigue, one can apply warm or cold compresses on the affected eye. This might have a soothing effect on the eye. All you need to do is soak a clean cloth in lukewarm water or cold water and place it over your eyes.
Medication
If you often experience lower eyelid twitching, it would be best to consult an ophthalmologist. If you are suffering from an eye infection, one may have to instill medicated eye drops to treat the infection. People suffering from dry eyes would have to administer lubricant eye drops for soothing dry, irritated eyes. Those suffering from hemifacial spasms may need injections for relaxing their muscles and slowing down the contractions.
Avoid Eye Strain
Watching television or sitting for long hours while working on your computer might worsen the problem. So, make sure you give ample rest to your eyes. If your eyes are showing signs of fatigue, do take breaks while reading or working on computer. It is extremely important to take rest.
Relaxation
If you feel that episodes of eyelid twitching occur when you are under stress, try to relax and stay calm. Yoga, deep breathing and meditation will surely help. The importance of adequate sleep can never be stressed enough. Cut down on your intake on caffeine and alcohol.
Though mild twitching usually resolves on its own, it would be best to consult an ophthalmologist if it has been going on for days and the intensity of twitching also seems to have increased. If you experience other symptoms along with eyelid twitching, make it a point to mention them to the ophthalmologist. Do follow the aforementioned self-care measures to keep your eyes in a good condition.
Disclaimer: This HealthHearty article is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for the advice of an ophthalmologist.
