Why do my eyes twitch?

Twitching of the eyelid is actually a common and harmless condition which will resolve without treatment. The medical term for this condition is called myokymia. Most eyelid twitching lasts only a few minutes but sometimes it can persist for days or longer. If you experience twitching that doesn’t go away, see your optometrist. There are more serious conditions affecting the eyelids which include blepharospasm or hemifacial spasm – this type of twitching is more obvious and severe and should be evaluated immediately.

Triggers for eyelid twitching include the following:

1. Stress
2. Fatigue/ lack of sleep
3. Eye strain – including digital eyestrain from overuse of computers/tablets/smartphones
4. Caffeine
5. Alcohol
6. Dry eye
7. Allergies

Remedies

Myokymia will generally resolve itself without treatment and does not usually cause any long term problems. Try and reduce stress. Consider long walks, exercise,and yoga. Get plenty of rest. Routine use of artificial tears or allergy eye drops may be helpful, if required. Incorporate a healthy diet – reduce amount of junk food and decrease caffeine and alcohol consumption. In some cases, medications such as botox may be injected into the affected eyelid muscles. Lastly, get an eye exam – your optometrist can help pinpoint the most likely cause and recommend the best way to stop the twitching.