Why Does My Eye Twitch and How Do I Make It Stop?

Why does it happen? What is it a sign of? And what should you do?

Everyone gets them. No one enjoys them. Here’s how to fix them.

(Photo: iStock)

Possibly the only thing more annoying that an itch you can’t scratch, is involuntary eye twitching.

Type “why does my” in Google and the top result is an eye opener:

Involuntary twitching around the eye is fairly common, usually harmless and goes away on its own. But what’s going on here when the eyelid or the eyeball starts twitching? The phenomenon is called fasciculation, this symptom can affect the upper eyelids, involve muscles in lower eyelids, or both.

So why does it happen? Everyone has their theories from signs and omens to excessive caffeine and stress, most twitching is a sign that you’ve had enough screen time for the day, but some twitching should prompt you to see a doctor.

Your Eye Spasms Decoded

You know this annoying feeling! (Photo courtesy: Tumblr/GBay)

What Appears To Be Happening

Your eyelid spasms in a weirdly annoying way. If you look at it closely in the mirror for too long, you’ll feel like you’re watching a scene from the opening credits of The American Horror Story.

What’s Actually Happening

There’s no lost evolutionary function linked to the twitchy eyelid, most doctors aren’t even sure why it happens but have come up with theories.

What You Must Do

If the spasm scrams away as suddenly as it came, there’s no reason to worry! But if the whispery spasm in one eyelid or a part of the eyelid is leaving you miserable for hours, then see a doctor.

What Can It Be a Sign Of

1. Stress Or Sleep Deprivation

(Photo courtesy: Tumblr/FunnyJunk)

Stress is the biggest nuisance of a twitchy eye. Doctors say that twitching usually happens a week before your exams, if something is pestering you or you’re not sleeping well.

2. Caffeine Or Alcohol Junkie

Stimulants in caffeine or the relaxants in alcohol if consumed in excess can bring about a twitchy eye. Proof that God has a sense of humour. Clearly.

3. Dry Eyes

Whether you’re getting old, wear too much contact lenses or are on certain medications which leave you with a dry eye, use medically approved drops in your eyes. No dry eye, no twitching.

4. Mineral Deficiencies

(Photo courtesy: Tumblr/FunnyJunk) 

A magnesium deficiency is the most common nutritional imbalance leading to an eye twitch. If you get this irritating thing too often, get tested for magnesium levels in your body, take spinach, oatmeal, almonds and other magnesium-rich foods very seriously from now on.

5. Too Much Screen Time

Constantly staring into bright screens can give you eye strains and a pulsating eyelid. So buy an anti-glare screen for the office computer, take a break from your smartphone and ensure you get eight hours of well-deserved, uninterrupted shut-eye at night.

When Is It Serious

In very rare instances, eyelid twitching can signal a serious condition, like the beginning of multiple sclerosis or a lesion in the brain. These conditions usually begin with a host of other symptoms, and the eyelid twitch will soon advance to a facial muscle impairment.

There’s no real way to stop an eye twitch once it starts - luckily, it stops on its own. So if one is annoying you currently, there’s nothing you can do - just wait it out, slugger. Or maybe get some sleep.

Also Read: Got a Blur? Your Smartphone Could Be Ruining Your Eyes