Questions for the optometrist: What causes eye twitches and how can they be stopped?
Eye twitches are small, involuntary movements of the eyelids, which are often harmless but can sometimes be annoying. They last from a few seconds to a few minutes, can recur several times a day, and usually disappear on their own. But why do they occur, and how can they be stopped?
What is an eye twitch?
It is a slight, involuntary spasm of the eyelid muscle, often the lower eyelid. Although harmless in most cases, these twitches can cause irritation, fatigue, or social discomfort, especially when they persist.
The most common causes
- Fatigue and lack of sleep: Lack of rest is the number one cause. When the body is exhausted, the facial muscles become more unstable.
- Stress and anxiety: Stress activates the nervous system, which can cause muscle twitching, especially around the eyes.
- Overuse of screens: Looking at a screen for long periods of time without a break can cause dry eyes and fatigue the orbicularis muscles.
- Caffeine and stimulants: Too much coffee, tea, energy drinks, or even chocolate can excite the nervous system and cause spasms.
- Dry eyes: Very common in people who wear contact lenses, work at a computer, or are over 45 years of age.
- Magnesium deficiency: Magnesium helps regulate muscle contractions. A slight deficiency can cause spasms, especially in the eyelids.
How can you stop eye twitching?
1. Moisturize your eyes
- Use preservative-free artificial tears.
- Blink more often when you are in front of a screen.
2. Get enough sleep
- Try to get 7 to 8 hours of sleep per night.
- Take a short nap if your eyes are very tired.
3. Cut down on caffeine
- Reduce your intake if you drink several cups a day.
- Replace it with water, herbal tea, or decaffeinated coffee.
4. Reduce stress
- Deep breathing, yoga, walking, meditation...
- A simple 5-minute break away from screens can make all the difference.
5. Adopt the 20-20-20 rule
Every 20 minutes:
- Look 20 feet (6 meters) away,
- For 20 seconds.
This relieves the eye muscles.
When to see an optometrist?
In most cases, these contractions are harmless. However, consult an optometrist or ophthalmologist if:
- The spasms last more than 2 weeks.
- Your eye closes completely during contractions.
- You feel spasms in other parts of your face.
- There is associated redness, pain, or decreased vision.
