Maybe this occurs when you’re watching TV, or maybe you notice it more when you’re driving… Whenever it happens, at some point of your life you have felt your eye twitch. Eye twitching – known as myokymia – is a common condition, which affects millions of individuals.
Eye twitching occurs when the nerves and muscles in and around the eye become stimulated, and so you feel a twitch. Oftentimes, you may be the only one detecting it, as others can’t even notice it is happening. But in other cases, it may be quite noticeable.
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Often not dangerous, eye twitching can simply be annoying. In order to prevent it from occurring, it’s important to know how it is caused.
Causes for eye twitching, myokymia
There are three core factors that contribute to eye twitching: caffeine consumption, stress, and fatigue.
If you’ve been noticing that your sleep has been disturbed or that you aren’t getting enough of it, not only does this contribute to daytime tiredness, but it can cause eye twitching, too. Therefore, it may be wise to look at your sleep schedule if you’ve been experiencing frequent eye twitching.
Caffeine is a popular stimulant, which many of us drink to stay alert. But sometimes that surge of energy not only keeps you awake, but also causes your eye to twitch. If you consume lots of coffee or even energy drinks on a daily basis, you may want to cut back or spread out the beverages throughout the day in order to minimize eye twitching. Additionally, smoking and alcohol consumption can contribute to eye twitching, too.
Lastly, stress can play a large role in eye twitches. Stress-induced eye twitches can be more nerve-racking, as they can often occur during important moments. For example, maybe you’re stressed out about putting a large dinner party together. Well, now, not only are you trying to keep things under control, but your annoying eye twitch won’t stop either! All you can do here is handle stress at the best of your ability. And stop thinking about your eye twitch – otherwise, it will only add to the pressure of the moment. Relaxation techniques and other coping mechanisms should be utilized in order to lower stress, which in turn will reduce the eye twitch.
Generally, eye twitches are harmless and have a root cause that is easily fixable, but in rare cases they can be a sign of a serious problem. If your eye twitch has been bothering you for quite some time – even when lifestyle habits have been modified, – or if it is quite severe, it may be best to see your doctor or ophthalmologist, as it could be an early sign of Parkinson’s disease or other nerve disorder. Alternatively, it could simply signal that you need new corrective lenses, so it is advised that you get your eyes checked, regardless.
