How To Stop Twitching Under The Eyes

Eye twitching, also known as myokymia, is a condition that happens to one eye only, usually resulting in uncontrollable eyelid spasms. It is caused by stress, allergies, or a lack of sleep.

Several at-home remedies can help to stop eye twitching, such as getting enough sleep, removing caffeine from your diet, and applying a cold compress to your eyelid. You can also take a break from screens, lower your stress level, and massage your eyelid to reduce eye twitching.

It may be necessary to see an ophthalmologist in cases where home remedies do not result in relief. Eye twitching may be the result of an underlying health problem that requires treatment. Prescription medications, botox injections, and, in some cases, surgery may be required to alleviate eye twitching.

It is discussed in this article how to stop eye twitching as well as when medical care should be sought.

Treatments for eye twitching at home

There are several ways to treat eye twitching at home. If you are afflicted with eye twitching, it may be helpful to combine the following methods.

Reduce Stress

When you are experiencing eye twitching, it is likely that you are experiencing stress. Try to reduce stress in your daily life. Learning stress management techniques can help you cope more effectively with stress.

It is recommended that you take the following steps to reduce your daily stress level, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

• Avoid watching or reading news stories

• Connect with people whose company you enjoy

• Get regular exercise

• Make time to unwind and engage in activities you enjoy

• Practice meditation or yoga

• Take deep breaths

How to Reduce Stress: Techniques to Manage Stress and More

Cut Back on Caffeine

There is no doubt that excessive consumption of caffeine can result in eye twitching, so naturally, reducing caffeine consumption will assist in stopping the condition. The most common sources of caffeine are chocolate, coffee, cola, energy drinks, tea, and some over-the-counter medications.

The average person is able to safely consume up to 400 milligrams of caffeine each day, which is approximately two cups of coffee. Too much caffeine can also cause anxiety, insomnia, restlessness, a fast heartbeat, and dependence.

In the event that your current caffeine intake is high, you should reduce it slowly so that you do not experience withdrawal symptoms such as headaches, drowsiness, irritability, nausea, or difficulty concentrating.

Get Plenty of Sleep

A twitching eye may also be caused by insufficient sleep. If you do not get enough sleep, you can improve your sleep quality and quantity and alleviate a twitching eye.

It is recommended that adults get at least seven hours of sleep each night. The following tips are provided by the CDC for better sleep hygiene:

• Maintain a consistent sleep schedule, including weekends, by going to bed and waking up at the same time.

• Before going to sleep, avoid eating large meals or drinking alcohol.

• Maintain a comfortable temperature and a quiet environment in the bedroom.

• The bedroom should be free of screens and electronic devices.

In the event that these changes do not result in improved sleep quality, you may wish to consult your healthcare provider. A sleep study may be able to detect if you are suffering from a sleep disorder.

Take Screen Breaks

It has been found that up to 90% of adults who regularly use devices experience digital eye strain due to the strain caused by spending too much time in front of a screen. This condition is known as computer vision syndrome.

The following are other signs of computer vision syndrome:

• Blurred vision

• Dry eyes

• Eye strain

• Headaches

• Neck and shoulder pain

It is recommended by the American Academy of Ophthalmology that you take a 20-20-20 break every 20 minutes to look at a 20-foot object for 20 seconds, in order to avoid digital eye strain.

Apply a Warm Compresses

A warm compress may be helpful if you experience eye twitches due to muscle contractions or spasms.

Hold a clean washcloth against your eye for five to ten minutes, squeezing out any excess water. Repeat throughout the day if necessary.

Use Eye Drops

Eye twitching is often caused by dry eyes, which can be caused by fatigue, digital eye strain, and allergies. Over-the-counter eye drops can be used to relieve dry eyes.

The most common form of saline eye drops is lubricating, moisturizing, or natural tear drops. If your eyes are dry because of eye strain or fatigue, you might want to try these drops.

Antihistamine eye drops may help treat eye twitching caused by ocular allergies (allergic conjunctivitis). These eye drops are commonly referred to as allergy or eye itch relief.

Treatment for Severe Eye Twitches

A medical treatment for eye twitching may be necessary if home remedies do not provide relief. Prescription medications, botox injections, and, in severe cases, surgery can be used to treat persistent eye twitching.

Medication

As part of its treatment plan, your doctor may prescribe anxiety medications, muscle relaxers, sedatives, or, very surprisingly, stimulants. Depending on the underlying cause of your eyelid spasms, your doctor could prescribe anxiety medications, muscle relaxers, sedatives, or stimulants.

In clinical trials, medications that affect dopamine levels may be helpful for treating eyelid spasms. Examples of these medications include methylphenidate, which is prescribed for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, as well as benzodiazepines such as Valium (diazepam), Xanax (alprazolam), and Ativan (lorazepam).

Botox

It is not uncommon to use botulinum toxin injections to treat eye twitching. These injections involve injecting a small amount of this toxin into five to eight sites around each eye.

In order to reduce eye twitching, Botox works by inhibiting the muscle’s ability to release acetylcholine, ultimately resulting in a cessation of muscle contractions.

Surgery

Surgery may be necessary to relieve eyelid twitching caused by certain medical conditions.

According to the cause of the twitching, there may be various surgical options available, including:

Myectomy: A surgical procedure to remove one or more of the protractor muscles in the eyelids is used in the treatment of blepharospasm-related eye twitching.

Microvascular Decompression: This procedure is performed to relieve pressure on the facial nerve in the root exit zone in order to alleviate eye twitching due to hemifacial spasms.

When to See a Healthcare Provider

If your eye twitching persists, you should consult an ophthalmologist. There are several medical conditions that may cause this type of twitching, including essential blepharospasm, hemifacial spasm and other conditions.

If you experience any of the following symptoms, please consult your eye doctor:

• Twitching of the eyelids for an extended period of time

• A severe twitching of the eyes

• Your eyes are forced to close completely due to the twitch

• Your other facial muscles begin to twitch as well

The Words of Verywell

In most cases, eyelid twitches are harmless and tend to subside on their own. In rare cases, however, severe eyelid twitching could indicate a more serious problem, so it is important to consult a physician as soon as possible.