Eye twitching

What is eye twitching?

Eye twitching, meaning an involuntary movement of the eyelids, is a usually harmless eye condition that most people will experience at some point. A twitch in the eye usually passes quickly but symptoms can range from gentle movements to more persistent eye twitching for days or weeks.

Why does my eye keep twitching?

So, what actually causes eye twitching? If you notice this becoming a persistent or recurring issue, there are several factors that could be leading to or aggravating the condition.

Lifestyle causes of twitching eyes

Eyelid twitches can occur at any time in your life for no apparent reason, but certain lifestyle‑related factors can be what causes your eye to twitch or worsen the spasms, including:

• Lack of sleep or tiredness: Prolonged periods of bad (or not enough) sleep may disrupt your body’s natural restorative process, causing eye muscles to struggle.

• Dehydration: Not drinking enough water could affect the balance of electrolytes in your body, leading to muscle spasms, including those in the eyelids.

• Feeling stressed or anxious: When you’re stressed, high cortisone levels can impact your body causing your eye to twitch.

• Eye strain: Prolonged screen time or focusing on a task, such as reading a book, for a long time can lead to eye strain and twitching.

• Eye irritation: Allergies, such as hay fever, or exposure to smoke and wind can irritate your eyes.

• Too much caffeine or alcohol: Stimulants like caffeine and alcohol can overstimulate the nervous system, potentially triggering muscle spasms in the eyelids.

• Side effects of certain medications: Certain drugs and medications list eye twitching as a common side effect.

• Eye injury: Trauma to the eye or eyelid can result in twitching.

Medical causes of eye twitching

There are also some nerve and brain disorders that could cause uncontrollable blinking or eye movement, such as:

• Parkinson's disease

• Tourette's syndrome

• Bell's palsy

• Multiple sclerosis

• Hyperthyroidism

If an eye twitch is your only symptom, it’s unlikely that these conditions are the cause. However, we recommend getting in touch with a medical professional to rule them out if you're concerned.

How to treat eye twitching

While this condition often resolves itself, our tips on how to stop eye twitching can help bring some more immediate relief:

Home remedies and self‑care

Try applying a warm compress to the affected eye to relax the muscles.

Consider over‑the‑counter treatments such as eye drops to treat underlying conditions such as dry eye.

Medical treatment

If you’re getting stronger and more frequent eyelid spasms, you might need specialist medical treatment to stop the twitching.

Your treatment options might include:

• Botulinum toxin injections: Botulinum toxin injections, such as botox, are a common and effective treatment for BEB. The toxin is injected into the affected muscles around the eyes, temporarily paralysing them and reducing eye spasms. The treatment typically lasts for several months before needing another dose but it can be expensive.

• Oral medication: Some medications, such as muscle relaxants or anti‑seizure medications, can help reduce the frequency and severity of eyelid spasms.

• Surgery: In acute cases of BEB that do not respond to other treatments, surgery, such as a myectomy – a procedure which involves removing some of the muscles responsible for eyelid spasms ‑ can be a good option.

• Supportive therapies: Various supportive therapies, such as stress management techniques, relaxation exercises, or the use of tinted glasses or sunglasses to reduce light sensitivity, could help alleviate the symptoms of eye twitching.

When to worry about eye twitching

You should seek medical advice if your eye keeps twitching for extended periods, happens more frequently or the spasms spread to other parts of your face. You should also look out for other concerning symptoms such as:

• Twitching that significantly affects your quality of life or ability to carry out everyday tasks.

• Twitching accompanied by another symptom such as facial spasms, drooping eyelids, or changes in vision.

• Pain, redness, swelling, or discharge in or around the eye.

• Twitching after an eye injury or surgery.

• History of neurological conditions like multiple sclerosis (MS) or Parkinson's disease.

• Inability to control the twitching or worsening symptoms despite attempting self‑care measures.

In these instances, you should consult with an eye doctor or healthcare professional.

How to prevent eye twitching

Eye twitching can come on out of the blue and can’t always be avoided. However, there are steps you can take that may reduce the chances of it happening. Here are some tips that could help keep your eyes twitch‑free:

• Get more sleep: Aim for 7‑9 hours of quality sleep each night to allow your eyes and body to rest and rejuvenate fully.

• Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day, especially during hot and dry weather.

• Limit your caffeine and alcohol intake: Be mindful of your intake and consider cutting back if you notice eye twitching after drinking lots of caffeine or alcohol.

• Take regular screen breaks: If you spend hours staring at digital screens, like your computer, smartphone, or tablet, try and practice the 20‑20‑20 rule: every 20 minutes, take a 20‑second break to look at something 20 feet away. This can help reduce eye strain and prevent eye twitching.

• Manage your stress levels: Taking regular breaks to relax and unwind could also help alleviate tension in the eyes and in turn reduce spasms. Prioritise stress management techniques, such as deep breathing, meditation, yoga, or mindfulness.