What Are the Reasons Eye Twitches
Whenever you feel like you have a twitchy eye, you might wonder what the cause is. The best way to figure it out is to research it and discover what’s causing your problem.
Caffeine
Getting too much caffeine can trigger eye twitches. Eye twitches are involuntary abnormal blinking of the eyelid. These cramps can last several days or even weeks. However, they are not dangerous.
They usually clear up when you sleep.
A variety of factors cause eye twitches. Some of the most common are caffeine, stress, and fatigue.
You may also suffer from an underlying medical condition that causes eye twitches. Luckily, there are treatments for eye twitches.
A common cause of eye twitches is not getting enough sleep.
The body needs a restful night’s sleep to rest and relax. Too little sleep causes the muscles in your eyelid to work more than they should, leading to eyelid twitches.
A lack of sleep can also cause other physical symptoms, such as fatigue. You may also develop eye allergies. These can cause swelling, itching, and rubbing in your eyes.
It is best to see a physician if you experience any of these symptoms.
Read also the causes of shortness of breath
Alcohol
Besides the expected effects of alcohol, some serious problems are associated with it. Among these are dry eyes, twitching eyelids, and impaired vision.
While most of these effects will go away on their own, they should be taken seriously.
Dry eyes are a result of a compromised tear film. This can impact the way your eyes adjust to different lighting conditions. A deficiency in vitamin A can also cause eye damage.
A study at Western University found that alcohol affects the eyes’ ability to adjust for contrast. It also slows the pupil’s reaction time, making it more difficult for drivers to adapt to headlights.
This slow reaction time and impaired vision can make drinking and driving dangerous.
Besides alcohol, some other drugs can also cause eye damage. For instance, caffeine and nicotine can both cause eye twitching.
Dry eyes
Having dry eyes is a problem that many adults face. It is often a symptom of other ocular problems, such as uveitis, glaucoma, or blepharitis. Certain medications or environmental factors can also cause it.
Eyelid twitching is a common symptom of dry eyes. It is often associated with stress and may result from prolonged muscle tension. You can alleviate the problem by following a healthy sleep schedule.
You can also try relaxation techniques.
Symptoms of dry eyes may include itching, burning, redness, and a scratchy feeling. If you are experiencing severe eye dryness, your eye doctor may recommend prescription eye drops.
You may have a more severe problem if the twitching does not stop. Your doctor may refer you to a neurologist to determine the cause.
Using computer screens can also cause eye twitching. You should only use computers for a short period. Consider wearing sunglasses.
Blepharospasm
Symptoms of blepharospasm can be challenging to spot and often go away on their own. However, if left untreated, the symptoms can be severe.
Blepharospasm can interfere with vision, make it difficult to open the eyes and cause eye pain. Left untreated, it can be not easy to perform activities such as eating, reading, driving, and sleeping.
Blepharospasm is a disorder of the muscles surrounding the eyelids. It causes involuntary eyelids twitching and can also affect the eyebrows, the mouth, and the eyes.
An abnormality in the motor nerves of the brain usually causes it.
It is a rare disorder that affects one in every 20,000 people. It is a part of the dystonia family of movement disorders. Symptoms include involuntary eyelid twitches and fluttering, eyelid drooping, and involuntary winking.
Symptoms usually begin in mid to late adulthood.
Hemifacial spasm
Symptoms of hemifacial spasms can be very uncomfortable. They start in the eye area and can spread to other parts of the face. In some people, they also occur when speaking or driving.
They are typically not painful. However, prolonged twitching can cause visual impairments. They may also pull the mouth to one side. Some people even hear a clicking sound when they suffer from these spasms.
People who suffer from hemifacial spasms can usually control their symptoms using treatments. These treatments can include injections of botulinum toxin.
These injections can stop the spasms. However, these treatments need to be repeated every 3 to 4 months.
Treatment of hemifacial spasms may also include surgery. This can be done to correct a vascular problem or to release the nerve from the blood vessel that is pressing on it.
Surgery is not a cure for hemifacial spasms but it can help relieve some symptoms.