Fast Ways to Stop Eye Twitching

Are you facing the issue of eye twitching? Are you scared what is happening to your eyes?Well, don’t be scared. I know it can be scary if you are experiencing it for the first time. A lot of people often face the bothersome problem of eyelid twitching. It is a very common problem, especially in youngsters.

What is eye twitching?

Eye twitching (blepharospasm) is a repetitive, involuntary spasm and an automatic movement of eyelid muscles especially the upper lid that reoccurs every few seconds. At times eye twitch can occur in both lower and upper lids too. Eye twitching is not something which is painful but definitely can be annoying, irritating and embarrassing as it disrupts the work you’re doing. Eye twitching is usually for some time but can be chronic in some cases.

Eye twitching usually occurs due to fatigue in the eye, stress on the eye, excessive coffee, dry eyes, medications and also due to excessive consumption of alcohol. Other reasons are eye strain, mineral deficiency and dry eyes. Eye twitching may lead to conditions like a pink eye (conjunctivitis), uveris, light sensitivity, nervous disorders and entropion.

Don’t panic as this article will help you understand the types, causes, treatment and easy remedies for stopping eye twitching.

Types of Twitching

1. Minor eyelid twitching

A minor eyelid twitch can happen to anyone and is associated with lifestyle factors such as stress, fatigue, use of caffeine/alcohol/tobacco and lack of sleep. It also results from irritation of cornea or membranes that line your eyelids (conjunctiva).

2. Benign essential

Benign essential or blepharospasm usually shows up in idle of adulthood or late 40’s. It gradually gets worse. Women are more likely to get this problem than men. It’s not a serious problem but severe cases of benign essential can interfere in your day to day life. The causes are stress, fatigue and bright light/the wind or air pollution.

This problem starts with the nonstop blinking of eyes or irritation of eyes. As it gets worse your eyes may become more sensitive to light, it may lead to blurry vision and you can also have facial spasms. In very severe cases your eyelids may stay shut for several hours.

This problem may also be a result of environmental and genetic factors.

3. Hemifacial spasm

This condition is very rare. This condition includes muscles of your eyelids and also muscles around your mouth. The cause of hemifacial spasm is artery pressing on a facial nerve. If you get in this condition consult your doctor immediately.

On the basis of severity it can be categorised as:

  • Light twitching

The major reason for light eye twitching is fatigue, stress and more caffeine intake. This type of eye twitching clears up on its own. This can be annoying if twitch is strong enough to make your eyelid close fully and open fully. Light twitching can interfere with your vision and even cause migraines and headaches.

  • More severe twitching

Severe twitching is when the twitch has become chronic and involves winking too. It may also lead to severe vision impairment as you cannot control your eyelids to be open. The other symptoms are an infection, inflammation of the eyelid, sensitivity to light, lack of eye moisture, and conjunctivitis.

Chronic eye twitching also indicates the presence of nervous disorder.

Causes of Eye Twitching

No one knows the exact cause behind eye twitching. Twitches are harmless and painless but if spasms are strong enough they can cause your eyelids to completely shit and then reopen. However listed below are few causes which are responsible for eye twitching as per experts.

  • Allergies
  • Stress
  • Fatigue
  • Caffeine
  • Dry eye
  • Vision problems like uncorrected refractive errors
  • Poor nutrition
  • Due to side effects of medications like the drugs which treat epilepsy and psychosis.

Eye twitching can also be associated with some type of neurological injury or blood flow issues to the facial nerve. Eye twitching can make it hard for you to see if it doesn’t go with time.

Twitching eye can also be a sign of some serious conditions like:

  • Inflamed eyelids
  • Pink eye
  • Dry eyes
  • Light sensitivity

Twitching eye can also be a sign of brain or nervous disorder such as:

  • Dystonia
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Bell’s palsy
  • Tourette’s syndrome

Home Remedies for Eye Twitching

Hydrotherapy

Hydrotherapy includes treating the twitching eye with water so as to relax the eye muscles. You can use warm water to splash the dirt out of your eyes and relax them. You can also use cold water but the easiest way to perform hydrotherapy is by using ice cubes.

Take an ice cube and rub it over the closed eyes and then wash the eye with lukewarm water. Cold ice constricts the blood vessels, on the other hand, the warm water opens them up. This mechanism helps to flush of eye muscles and nerves in order to renew the nutrient balance too.

Alternatively, splash your closed eyes with cold and warm water. This process increases the blood flow and circulation to eyes which can help in stopping twitching. Repeat this process of alternating cold and warm 7-8 times to get relief from eye twitching and stop it completely.

Rose water

Rose water works as an eye lotion and is a harmless cleanser for eyes. One of the reasons for eye twitching may be dirt so you can stop eye twitching using rose water as a cleanser for your eyes. Use rose water as eye drops to nourish, clean and relax your eye muscles.

Rose water

Another way to use rose water is using it as rose water compress. Dip a cotton ball in rose water and place the cotton balls on your eyes so that they cover your eyes. After 5-10 minutes clean your eyes with those cotton balls dipped in rose water. It will relax your eye muscles and hence stops eye twitching.

Cucumber

Cucumber is one of the best remedies to soothe eye muscles and ease the eye nerve movement. Cucumber has anti-inflammatory and cooling properties which naturally relax the eye muscles.

 

All you need to do is keep a slice of refrigerated cucumber on the affected eye. Keep the slice until it comes at room temperature. You can also use cucumber cool pads for relaxing your eyelids. Cucumber juice is also a good alternative and can be applied to the affected eye to stop eye twitching.

Potato

Potatoes are known for its cooling effect and hence prove out to be a great remedy for relaxing the eye muscles in order to give relief from eye twitching. Cut a small potato into slices and put these potato slices on your eyes in order to cover the eyelids.

Potato-slices

Potatoes are easily available in the kitchen and are one of the cheapest remedies to stop eye twitching. Alternatively, you can use chilled potato juice as well.

Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus oil proves out to be a great ingredient in stopping eye twitching. In order to use it, add few droplets of eucalyptus oil in a bowl of warm water. Now place your head over the bowl and cover your head with the help of a towel.

Slowly start taking the steam. Make sure your eyes are open in order to allow steam to soothe your eyes. Take steam for 10-15 minutes. This may work slowly but the results are 100%. Try it at home and you will get rid of eye twitching effectively.

Warm compress and cold compress

Warm and cold compresses both are really effective for treating twitching eyes. A warm compress makes the eye muscle work well and eventually the involuntary movement of eyes stops.

All you need to do is dip a towel or handkerchief in warm water. Squeeze it properly and put that cloth on eye till the warmness is there. Repeat this 5 to 6 times a day. You can use a warm compressor and gently massage the affected eyelid to immediate relief from eye twitching.

A cold compress can be done in the same manner. Dip a towel in chilled water and slowly compress eyelids for quick relief. The best way to do cold compress is ice. Ice helps constricts the blood vessels of eyes and cools your eye muscles relaxing them. Rub an ice cube over your eyelids for 5-10 seconds. You can splash cold water to clear your eye. You can wear eye caps filled with eyes for better application.

To do cold compress you can use cold milk as well. Milk soothes eyes and stops eye twitching immediately. Wash your face and eyes with cold milk as soon as you feel pressure in your eyelids while blinking.

Create tears to relax eye

When you feel that your eyes are going to twitch, at the very initial level start blinking your eyes hard. Try to clench your eyes shut and then make them wide open. Keep repeating this until your eyes begin to form tears.

Create tears to relax eye

Tears are a natural response when our eyes are in strain. Keep blinking even after tears in order to spread them evenly over eyes and this tears will help stop eye twitch. Moreover, the composition of tears is quite relaxing to the muscles around eyelids.

Calcium

We all know that calcium is a vital ingredient for healthy bones. Not just bones calcium is also an important component for maintaining the nervous system. Calcium helps in boosting the neurotransmitters work well and helps in stopping eye twitching.

Neurotransmitters are the communication signals from the brain to body and hence calcium intake is very important for proper functioning of nervous system.  That’s why calcium is considered a vital component for treating spasms. In order to stop eye twitching make sure you consume calcium rich food like cheese, yogurt, orange juice, milk and walnuts.

Steam

Taking steam can also prove out to be a great remedy for treating eye twitching. Steam removes all the dirt from skin pores and eases the nerve movement in eyes. Boil some water in a container and take steam carefully covering your head with a towel. Do it for 10 minutes to get immediate relief from twitching eye. Do it twice or thrice for effective results.

Magnesium

Magnesium is one of the vital nutrients that are required by our body. Magnesium is another important ingredient which is responsible for maintaining the muscle function and nervous system and hence is an effective remedy for treating eye twitching. Magnesium also plays an important role in the regulation of circulatory systems.

This nutrient promotes steady heartbeat, normal blood pressure and nerve impulses which prevent uncontrolled muscle functions like twitching eye. Consuming magnesium rich food like seeds, leafy greens, beans, avocados and nuts can be quite helpful in preventing eye twitching.

Banana

Bananas are a rich source of potassium. One of the major reasons of eye twitching is the deficiency of potassium in the body. Consuming bananas regularly can help you attain potassium contents in the body and hence helps in overcoming twitching.

Supplements

Nutritional supplements can help a lot to achieve a good health and also helps in controlling certain symptoms. Supplements of potassium, magnesium and calcium help to eliminate and control eye twitching. Certain deficiencies of vitamins, minerals and electrolytes can also cause eye twitching. If you are not consuming these in your food you can get these nutritional supplements easily on the nearby medical store.

Certain deficiencies of vitamins, minerals and electrolytes can also cause eye twitching. If you are not consuming these in your food you can get these nutritional supplements easily on the nearby medical store.

Potassium, one of the nutritional supplements plays an important role in controlling or preventing spasms, twitching and cramping in the body. It also helps in regulating muscles. Potassium is considered as an electrolyte which promotes the effective functioning of tissues, cells and organs.  Bananas are a rich source of potassium and help in treating eye twitching. Other potassium rich foods are fish, citrus juices, avocados and potatoes.

Exercises for Eye Twitching

Exercising can prove out to be really effective in treating eye twitching. The eye is muscles and like other muscles, it can also be exercised. Exercising a muscle can help to keep nutrient levels and toxins in balance. Exercise for eyes is also important especially in conditions like eye twitching. You simply need to blink them to produce tears in order to nurture them and take care of your eyes. Exercising can relax your eyes to a great extent.

Listed below are some eyes exercises which can be effective in conditions like eye twitching.

Hard blinking

Hard blinking is a great exercise for treating your twitching eye. All you need to do is close your eyes very tightly and then open them as wide as you can. This exercise helps to create moisture in your eyes. Shut your eyes tight as you can. Keep repeating this procedure until your eyes produce tears.

 

Doing this in a quick manner spreads the tear evenly across eyes. This causes relief to eyes by hydrating them, stretching eye muscles, increasing eye circulation and resting the lid. This remedy helps in providing rest to your eyelids and eye muscles.

Stop immediately if you experience any sort of pain or if twitching becomes worse.

Closing the eyelids half way down

Closing your eyelids halfway down and then opening them can also provide an instant relief to twitching eye. Repeat this for at least thirty seconds. This exercise makes the eye muscles strong and hydrated.

This prevents the eye twitching and also don’t let it persist for long. While doing this you will notice that your upper eyelids are constantly trembling with different amplitudes. Concentrate on your efforts to stop this trembling.

Eye massage

Eye massage is another exercise which is really effective for eye muscles. Simply massage the area around your eyes that is above and below the eyes with the help of your index finger. Massaging increases blood circulation in the eye area and strengthens the eye muscles.

Gently massage in a circular manner and repeat this for 5-6 times for 30 seconds. To prevent irritation or infection in eyes Make sure your hands are clean or just wash your hands before doing this. Using your middle and index finger press the lower eyelid and then move a finger in a circular motion to massage the eye muscle.  Don’t rub the upper eyelids as this may irritate the entire eye. Simply massage the lower eyelid to relax your eyes. This will give immediate relief by simulating the eye muscles.

Fast blinking

Fast blinking of eyes not only helps in removing dirt from eyes but also relaxes and lubricates the eye muscles. Blink eyes swiftly for 20 seconds. Take a little gap and repeat this procedure. Don’t continue this if there are pain and irritation in the eyes.

Acupressure massage

Find out the acupressure points around the eye and massage each point gently in circular motion for 5-10 seconds. Once you finish the first sequence start from the beginning for the next acupressure point. Repeat this for 2-3 minutes. Acupressure points increase the circulation to the eye and closed lid allows tear film to provide hydration to eyes.

Place your index and middle finger on your eyebrows and press gently. Rotate the, on edges of eye socket bone for 5 minutes. This can provide relaxation to eye muscles. To prevent infection and irritation in eyes ensure that your hands and eyes are clean.

Eye squeezing

Close your eyes for one minute then squeeze your eyes shut tightly. Release them without actually opening them. Perform three repetitions before actually opening your eyes.

This exercise leads to tearing production by lubricating your eyes. Not just it controls eye twitching this exercise keep your eye muscles strong.

Breathing exercises

Practising breathing exercises before going to sleep and early morning for ten minutes daily helps reducing stress levels which eventually stops eye twitching problems. Stress is also one of the causes of twitching eye and indulging in yoga and meditations can help a lot in relieving stress, you can perform recreational activities to reduce stress levels.

Additional Tips:

  • Lubricate your eyes using eye drops to relax them. Eye drops reduce strain on the eye muscles.
  • Rinse your eyes at least twice or thrice in a day.
  • Take proper sleep of 8 hours daily as it provides relaxation and gives proper rest to eyes. General fatigue can lead to dry, tired eyes.
  • Don’t rub your eyes vigorously. As this can lead to itching and irritation in eyes.
  • Use computer glasses if you spend a lot of time working on the computer. Take shorter breaks and shut your eyes so as to lessen the strain on eyes.
  • Limit the intake of caffeine and other stimulants. Too much coffee, soda or medications can also lead eye twitching. Consult a doctor before altering your medications.
  • Don’t consume an excess of alcohol.
  • Keep yourself hydrated and increase your water intake to 8-10 glasses. Dehydration can also cause eye twitching.
  • Enhance your lifestyle and these changes can help in preventing problems like twitching eyes.
  • You can do a full facial massage to relax muscles of face and eye.
  • Eliminate stress on eyes. You can reduce stress on eyes by practising breathing, meditation, yoga and engaging in prayers. Anything that lowers the heart rate eliminates stress.
  • Seek an eye doctor if the below-listed symptoms persist:
  • Twitching persists for more than a week.
  • Twitching is severe and leads to completely closing of eyelids.
  • If there is redness, swelling or discharge from eye
  • If the upper eyelid is dropping.
  • If spasms involve other facial muscles
  • If there is a headache accompanied with eye twitching.
  • If there is double vision.
  • If the doctor suspects you that there is a nerve disorder or brain disorder responsible for eye twitching. Such syndromes are termed as Parkinson’s disease or Tourette syndrome. In such situations, the doctor will refer you to a neurologist.
  • Make sure when you consult your doctor you discuss all your lifestyle routine habits. Discuss your current supplements, exercise routines, medications and the diet you are following.

Follow these remedies, exercises and tips to get fast relief from twitching eyes.

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