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Everyone experiences them at one time or another. Everyone finds them irritating. But they generally don't last long and are seldom cause for concern. Eyelid twitches or myokymia are painless repetitive involuntary contractions of the muscles of the eyelids. There are many myths and superstitions from around the world surrounding this phenomenon. These range from predicting an unexpected visitor to receiving riches. They vary depending which eye is twitching, if you are male or female and even which part of the eye is twitching. They may be believed to be a sign of good or bad luck, good or bad news, or if someone is saying good or bad things about you. Episodes of eyelid twitching are unpredictable, usually occurring every few seconds for a few minutes. They may appear on and off for a day or two and then not for weeks or months, although occasionally some people experience them all day for weeks or even months. The upper eyelid is affected more often than the lower lid, but twitching may occur in both or either. If the spasms are strong enough, they could cause the eyelids to close completely and then reopen, rather than simply twitching. They are more prevalent during the day than at night. Typically, eye twitching disappears as spontaneously as it begins and is generally not associated with any illness or medical condition. There is a variety of lifestyle factors that can account for eyelid twitching, most of them linked to stress, fatigue or eye strain, and sometimes to caffeine or alcohol consumption, or a side effect of certain medications. Eye strain or vision-related stress as the result of a change in prescription or need for new glasses or excessive time spent in front of a computer may lead to eye twitching. Jaw clenching or teeth grinding, particularly during sleep can exacerbate eyelid spasms. According to some experts, eyelid twitching could be due to a nutritional imbalance, specifically a magnesium deficiency. There are some cases in which eye twitching is a sign of an eye condition such as dry eyes or blepharitis, a chronic inflammation of the eyelid which may cause twitching. Blepharospasm can be extremely uncomfortable and may become worse over time, resulting in symptoms such as increased sensitivity to light and blurry vision. Very rarely, twitching may be indicative of a neurological condition such as Bell's Palsy or Parkinson's disease, in which case it would be associated with symptoms in other parts of the body and require medical management. It is not necessary to seek medical intervention for eyelid twitching unless the twitch is persistent or becomes worse, the eyelid closes completely, the upper eyelid droops, other facial muscles are involved or there is redness, swelling or a discharge from the eye. There is no specific treatment for twitching. If it is triggered by stress, fatigue, eye strain or excess caffeine, try to eliminate or at least reduce these factors. Cut down on caffeine intake, catch up on sleep and take regular breaks from the computer. Meditation and relaxation techniques may be helpful in minimising stress. Keeping the eyes lubricated with artificial tears or applying a cold or warm compress to the eyes may ease the discomfort. Although there is no cure for blepharitis, it may be treated with a prescribed cream or scrub for the eyelids to reduce the symptoms. In severe cases of blepharospasm, Botox injections or surgery may be indicated to ease the spasms. |
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