Myokymia is an involuntary eyelid twitch or tic, it’s often a spontaneous localized spasm of one or both of your eyelids, upper and lower. Usually swift, it can go unnoticed by many individuals and they go away on their own when minor. Most people, if not all, will experience this type of spasm in their eyelids at least once in their lifetime – this can increase if one is losing too much sleep or consuming a lot of caffeine, leaving you unbalanced.
If you feel that the twitching in your eye has been going on for multiple days, contact a Ophthalmologist right away to get an appointment scheduled for a check-up.
Reasons for an Eyelid Twitch
Fatigue, stress, and caffeine are all leading signs of an eyelid twitch or tic. If you can learn to effectively manage these causes, it can help mitigate and even stop the twitching.
Eye Strain: In order to alleviate discomfort, experts recommend looking at something 20 feet away every 20 minutes for 20 seconds, followed by looking at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds again. Give it a try!
Stress: It is important to practice relaxation techniques like yoga and meditation every day when you are feeling stressed out at work, school, and at home. For those under a lot of stress, aim for 10 to 20 minutes of self-care per day. To ensure optimal self-care, a few popular rituals include journaling, exercising, and taking mindful baths or showers.
Fatigue: It is imperative that you get enough sleep. The National Sleep Foundation recommends that adults sleep between seven and nine hours per night. Create a sleep routine for yourself that adheres to your sleep needs, practice a relaxing bedtime ritual, blackout your windows with curtains and remove all electronic usage at least 30 minutes before bedtime.
Caffeine Overload: It has been suggested that caffeine consumption may contribute to eye tics. Cut back on your daily caffeine intake. You can boost your energy naturally by consuming herbal teas, water, matcha tea, chicory coffee, or kombucha. But remember, if you’re used to consuming caffeine daily, don’t cut caffeine out cold turkey – slowly include these new lifestyle changes for your caffeine consumption.
Other possible causes include:
- Light sensitivity
- Allergies
- Mineral deficiencies
- Medication side effects
- Dry eyes (keratoconjunctivitis sicca)
Quick Relief for Twitching Eyelids
When your eyes feel scratchy or dry, try applying a warm compress to the area and gently massage the eyelid with your fingertips. You can also try keeping an artificial tears bottle (found at most big-box retailers or local pharmacies) at home and using them as directed.
Should I Be Concerned?
Short of being uncomfortable, most eyelid twitches are not caused for concern. It is rare to experience hemifacial spasms or essential blepharospasm, which are extreme forms of eyelid twitching. While these conditions vary in frequency, there is an increased risk of these conditions. Persistent twitching should always be evaluated by an Ophthalmologist.
Whether you need to schedule an annual eye exam or require surgical vision correction to treat cataracts, you can always expect to receive compassionate, comprehensive care at Eye Physicians of North Houston. Contact us today at (281) 893-1760 for more information or to schedule an appointment with one of our doctors.