Posted by: Aker Kasten Eye Center in Eye Care on March 15, 2016
We’ve all experienced it. That weird little pulsing of the eyelid that seems to come out of nowhere, bug us for awhile, and then just as mysteriously disappear. Eyelid spasms, or twitches, can occur off and on throughout our lives, and for various reasons. Sometimes one eye will twitch, sometimes the twitch alternates between your eyes and sometimes they both twitch (called blepharospasm).
Stress is believed to be the cause of most eye twitching episodes
Patients who come to us struggling with unresolved eye twitches are usually experiencing unusual levels of stress in their lives – from studying for an important exam or job interview to a family problem or personal loss. Whatever the source of the stress, the eye twitching itself can be stressful. They want to know how to curb the spasm, and they want to know if eye twitching could mean that there is something more serious happening.
Any number of other things can cause bouts of eyelid twitching
Involuntary eyelid spasms can be caused by:
- Allergies
- Eye irritation
- Crying
- Anxiety
- Fatigue
- Caffeine
- Extreme stress
- Emotional event
Avoiding or easing eye twitching
Eye twitching will usually resolve all by itself within a few hours or days. But you can help the situation by cutting out caffeine and doing things to mitigate stress, such as exercising and getting enough sleep.
When should you see your eye doctor?
The cause of persistent blepharospasm (both eyelids twitching) is unknown, but it’s usually benign and will resolve eventually. If only one of your eyes twitches, there could be something irritating the nerve on that side of your face, and you should see your doctor. Or if twitching persists for more than a week, you should make an appointment to see your eye doctor (call us today at (561) 338-7722). By reviewing your history, we can often identify the trigger and ease your concerns. If your eye twitching becomes disruptive, making it difficult to read or drive, for example, it can be treated with Botox injections. The treatment can’t cure eye twitching, but can provide symptom relief and disrupt the spasms.