Experiencing a spasm in your eye can be annoying but it’s not uncommon. In fact, most of the causes of eye twitching will go away on their own, though sometimes the spasm can last for months. Knowing the underlying causes can help you to find a solution or know when to consult a doctor.
Stress
One of the most common causes of a spasm in the eye is stress. Pressure and worry can cause a raft of health problems, including an eye twitch. Try to relax and recharge with plenty of exercises, sleep and quality time with friends and family and eat a healthy diet with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables.
Dry eye
Excessive screen time, fatigue, anti-allergy medication and even the wrong contact lenses can all cause dry eye. If you’re experiencing eye spasms and your eyes feel dry and gritty then better hydration throughout the day and eye drops can help relieve the symptoms.
Allergies
Do you suffer from itchy, swollen watery eyes when your allergies kick in? Histamine can be associated with eye spasms but treating it with anti-histamine eye drops is not straightforward as they can cause dry eye. Work with your doctor on finding a solution that works for you.
Eye strain
Eye strain has a number of causes – excessive screen time and the need for new glasses can both lead to spasms in the eye. New prescription lenses and taking regular screen breaks can work wonders and give your eyes a rest.
Fatigue
Being overtired can result in eye twitches, it’s important to get back into a regular sleep pattern. That might mean cutting back on nights out or consulting your doctor about medical solutions to tackle insomnia.
Conjunctivitis
Red-eye can be highly contagious but is rarely serious. It can, however, cause spasms in the eye. If you’re experiencing symptoms of redness and discharge from the eyes, bathe them regularly with cooled boiled water and use prescription eye drops.
Blepharospasm
This type of involuntary muscle spasm around the eyes is thought to be a central nervous system disorder. The first line treatment for blepharospasm and hemifacial spasm, which only affects one side of the face, is a botox injection.
When to consult your local independent optician
Many causes of spasm in the eye will clear up of their own accord if you rest your eyes, eat well, keep hydrated and use eye drops. However, eye twitches could be a sign of conditions like Tourette’s syndrome, Bell’s Palsy or Parkinson’s disease so if your eye spasms persist for longer than a week, consult your doctor.
