Are you experiencing a persistent eye twitch that’s driving you crazy? Eye twitching can last for hours, days and sometimes weeks, which can be incredibly annoying, but it’s usually harmless. Your eye twitch will often go away on its own once you address the underlying factor, but in some rare cases, it may persist for months, indicating a more serious issue. 

What Causes Eye Twitching?

Fatigue

Lack of sleep is often the most common cause of eye twitching. If you’ve been staying up later than normal or waking up in the middle of the night, it’s important to try and catch up on sleep to help reduce daytime fatigue that may be causing your eyelid to twitch.

Stress

Have you recently started a new job or find yourself worrying about money or work? If so, your eye twitch might be the result of built-up stress. Finding ways to reduce your stress levels, such as yoga, meditation and rest, can often help.

Eye Strain

Staring at your computer or mobile screen for too long can cause eye strain that triggers eye spasms. Make sure to take a break every 20 minutes to give your eyes some reprieve. If the problem persists, talk to your eye doctor. They might recommend reading glasses or blue light glasses to help ease your symptoms.

Pink Eye

An eye infection like pink eye can also irritate your eye and cause it to twitch. Rubbing your eyes due to your symptoms will only make it worse. Over the counter eye drops can often be helpful. If your symptoms persist, it’s important to see your doctor so they can prescribe the proper medication to treat the infection.

Light Sensitivity

Bright lights can irritate the eye and make symptoms of eye twitching worse. You might need treatment for more than the eye twitching if lights are bothering you, so it’s important to book an eye exam if you’re vision is being impacted by brightness.

Drug Reactions

Some medications can also cause eye spasms to form. Drugs that treat psychosis and epilepsy can often have similar side effects. If you are on medications and your spasms have started to occur more regularly, it’s best that you talk to your doctor.

Neurological Conditions

Certain neurological conditions such as blepharospasm or hemifacial spasm can affect the eyelid as well. Your eye doctor can determine if you have an underlying condition that may be causing your eye twitching.

Nerve or Brain Disorders

In some rare cases, an eye twitch can indicate a more serious brain and nerve disorder. If you’re experiencing severe spasms, you should immediately notify your healthcare provider to discuss treatment methods for your symptoms.

When to See an Eye Doctor?

If you’re experiencing persistent twitching or changes to your eyelids or face, it’s time to see your optometrist. They will conduct an eye exam to make a proper diagnosis. In some cases, they might need to order a CT scan or MRI to rule out certain medical causes. Depending on the results, your optometrist will make recommendations to treat any underlying conditions. If your eye twitching is chronic or severe, they will suggest certain treatments to help reduce symptoms.

Is your constant eye twitch impacting your quality of life or vision? Contact us at Laurier Optical to book an eye exam with one of our optometrists today.