Why Our Eyes Start Twitching and How to Stop It

It’s pretty freaky when we’re in public and suddenly feel that our eye is starting to twitch, for everyone to see. We actually have good news for you, those spasms are so minimal that others don’t notice them and, usually, they don’t pose any threat to your health. Still, they’re pretty irritating, so let’s get to the bottom of why they occur in the first place.

We at Bright Side have experienced the occasional eye twitch and we are ready to, hopefully, answer every question you’ve ever had about this annoying occurrence.

How to know that your eye twitch is harmless

Involuntary spasms of the eye are called myokymia and they mostly target the upper lid. They are completely unpredictable and usually last from a few seconds to several minutes. In rare cases, they can even last up to an entire month. An eye twitch is painless and usually goes away on its own, thus it doesn’t require any special treatment. However, you should seek medical help if you’re experiencing the following symptoms:

• Your eyelid shuts completely during a twitch.
• The spasms start to affect the rest of your face.
• An eye twitch lasts for several weeks.
• There’s a discharge present.
• Your eyelid appears droopy.

What exactly causes our eyes to twitch and ways to prevent it

1. Digital eye strain

Yet another problem caused by staring too long at our screens is an eye twitch. Try following a 20-20-20 rule: look away from your screen every 20 minutes by focusing on something that’s 20 feet away from you for 20 seconds or longer. Also, computer glasses can be a real lifesaver.

2. Lack of sleep

If you don’t let your eyes rest enough, they’re going to get back at you by spasming from time to time. If you normalize your sleep schedule, the problem should go away.

3. Stress

Yes, our eyes can literally twitch if we’re under too much pressure. Stress is also considered one of the most common reasons for spasms, so you need to take it easy. Yoga and breathing exercises are a great way to start, but everyone finds their own way of relaxing and finding their Zen.

4. Poor diet

If you’re not getting enough nutrients, this might be one of the causes of your eye twitch. Vitamins and important elements directly influence our muscles and our nervous system, which are also in charge of keeping your eyelids stable. In addition, stress often triggers bad food choices and we already know what too much stress and a poor diet can do to us.

5. Too much caffeine

Too much caffeine is one of the most common irritants for your eyelids. Try cutting back on coffee, tea, and caffeinated drinks (also watch out for all that sugar in soft drinks) for a few weeks. If your eye twitches go away, then you’ll know caffeine was the culprit.

6. Allergies

People with allergies often experience watery eyes, so they rub them more often, which results in irritation. Any physical harm to your eye can provoke an eye twitch. It’s advised to use eye drops when your allergy is especially active.

How to stop an eye twitch when it’s happening

1. Apply a warm compress.

A compress can help to lubricate and relax your eye when it’s in distress. Make sure your water is not too hot and apply a fully wet cloth to your eye. Once the cloth gets cold, dunk it in the warm water again. Keep it on your eye until the twitch completely goes away.

2. Tightly squeeze your eyes.

Close your eyes for a full minute and squeeze them the entire time once one of the eyes starts to spasm. Relax your eyes for 10 seconds and then repeat 3 more times.

3. Massage your bottom eyelid.

With this massage, you are improving your eye’s circulation and stimulating the muscles. Using your middle finger lightly massage your bottom eyelid by doing circular motions. Continue to do so for about 30 seconds. Don’t forget to wash your hands before doing this!

How often do you experience an eye twitch? Do you have your own remedies to fight it?