Eye Twitching by K. Verdugo

Eye twitching (blepharospasm) is an involuntary spasm or blinking of the eyelid which can last for days or even weeks.  In most cases, eventually it will go away, but frequent eye twitching can be quite annoying.  Eye twitches are common and mostly stem from the following:

• Stress
• Eye Strain
• Dry Eyes
• Fatigue/Sleep Deprivation
• Caffeine (including teas)
• Alcohol
• Nutritional imbalance (magnesium deficiency)

Although the exact cause for eye twitching is unknown, the above list identifies the likely contributing factors to your eye twitching issue. Consulting with a doctor is recommended if the issue is not resolved in a month or so.

Stress/Eye Strain/Dry Eyes

Everyone experiences different forms of stress and at different capacities.  Even a small amount of stress can trigger eye twitching. Don’t forget to take a step away from your desk or computer to breath, relax and give your eyes the rest that they so desperately need. Focusing on your computer can cause strain on the eyes which can be damaging.  If you are using your computer throughout the day, make sure your eyes stay well moisturized.  You can do this by using natural tears for lubrication. If you wear contact lenses, you may want to consider swapping them for glasses temporarily because the contact lenses can cause dryness to the eyes, thus the twitching.  Please follow up with your optometrist if your condition has not improved.

Fatigue

Lack of sleep can also trigger these eye spasms.  Sleep is a vital necessity for your body to fully function as it should. The fatigue that you may feel is not only horrible for your work productivity, but it also puts a strain on your body. It is recommended that you sleep between 7-9 hours a night.

Caffeine and Alcohol

Excessive caffeine/ alcohol intake is common when a person is under high stress. This includes teas, coffee, and sodas. Several experts believe that these can trigger eye spasms. Tapering down on these is not only good for your overall health and well-being, but also could settle your eye twitching.

Nutritional imbalance (magnesium deficiency) 

Magnesium deficiency has been linked to this annoying eye twitches. If you suspect that you may be affected by a nutritional deficiency, please consult with a physician before randomly taking nutritional supplements.

For extreme cases of eye spasms, Botox has been recommended to stop the muscle contractions.  Hopefully, your twitching won’t be that severe or prolonged.  Always consult your physician or optometrist for a proper diagnosis and treatment if twitching persists, or is so extreme that it affects half of your face or whole eye.