Eye Twitching: Causes, Treatment & Help

Eye twitching, twitching eyelids or eye twitching is an involuntary muscle twitching of the eyelid. Often such eye twitching is harmless, but it can also indicate underlying diseases or deficiencies or imbalances of the body.

What is eye twitching?

Eye twitching is something many people have experienced at one time or another. In most cases, the upper eyelid of the eye twitches involuntarily and in rapid succession. Eye twitching has been experienced by many people at one time or another. Usually the upper eyelid of the eye twitches involuntarily and in rapid succession. Such eye twitching does not have to be a sign of a malfunction or a disease. Even in a healthy body, such nervous twitches occur from time to time. A mostly harmless eye twitch can occur over minutes or even over hours. If an eye twitch occurs over several days or longer, a visit to the doctor may be advisable; as a rule, a neurologist is then a suitable contact point. In contrast to nervous twitching, which can occur inside the healthy body, eye twitching is usually more noticeable by the affected person because it can disturb the field of vision for a short time. Eye twitching is also visible to the outside world.

Causes

Eye twitching is primarily triggered by a muscle of the so-called upper eyelid, the eyelid elevator. This muscle receives signals through the nervous system. A common cause of eye twitching is considered to be, for example, physical or psychological stress or severe fatigue. However, other causes can also be hidden behind eye twitching and it is not always possible to clearly determine the cause. For example, too much sport and physical exertion can cause eye twitching, because the overuse reduces the nerve performance. Irregularities in the mineral or water balance of the body can also promote eye twitching; if these substances are not sufficiently available to the body, the communication between nerves and muscles (including the muscles of the eye) can be negatively affected. Finally, eye twitching can also conceal diseases. Such diseases are, for example, viral infections; the body forces here are focused on fighting the virus.

Diseases with this symptom

  • Malnutrition
  • Mineral deficiency
  • Drug addiction
  • Diabetes mellitus
  • Gluten-

    intolerance

  • Chronic renal insufficiency

Diagnosis and course

The course of eye twitching depends first on whether it is a “healthy” eye twitch or an eye twitch with disease value; a harmless eye twitch usually ends after a few hours again as abruptly as it occurred. If diseases are responsible for the eye twitching, the eye twitching usually depends on the course of the underlying disease. If a corresponding disease can be successfully fought or defeated, the eye twitching usually also subsides or no longer occurs. The diagnosis of an eye twitch itself can be made by a doctor quite easily, since the eye twitch is observable. A diagnosis of the corresponding background is often more difficult, because often different causes interact in eye twitching.

Complications

Eye twitching is harmless in most cases. Often, only an uncontrolled twitching of the muscles is observed. However, eye twitching can also indicate various diseases and show deficiency symptoms of the body. Everybody has probably experienced eye twitching, where the eyelid twitches in rapid succession. Such nervous twitching occurs even in completely healthy people, it is usually completely harmless and disappears by itself after a few minutes. However, if the eye twitching lasts for several days, a visit to the doctor should be made. Here, a neurologist would be the appropriate contact point. Eye twitching is perceived very strongly by those affected, but it is not at all bad for the other person. Eye twitching is always triggered by a muscle on the eyelid, the so-called eyelid elevator. A common cause is fatigue or stress. Too much sport or physical stress are also often the trigger for eye twitching, because here the nerve performance is considerably impaired. If the body does not have enough water available, nerves and muscles cannot communicate well with each other and eye twitching also occurs.However, if the eye twitching occurs frequently, a viral disease may be behind it, a visit to the ophthalmologist is absolutely necessary in this case. However, the pathological eye twitching can be easily treated, it either no longer occurs or it is only very rarely observed.

When should you go to the doctor?

In the case of eye twitching, a doctor should be consulted, among other things, if the symptoms persist over a period of several days or are accompanied by accompanying symptoms such as headaches, difficulty concentrating or temporary visual disturbances. A neurologist can rule out serious causes such as a malfunction in the brain, a tumor or nerve damage in the area of the eyes; the ophthalmologist can check the eyes for defective vision and injuries or inflammations and thus make a reliable diagnosis. Otherwise, a visit to the doctor is recommended if the eye twitching occurs as a result of a disease of the visual apparatus or the brain, after alcohol and drug consumption or contact with corrosive or irritating substances. It is also advisable to consult an ophthalmologist if there are underlying diseases such as celiac disease, chronic kidney disease or diabetes, which are often accompanied by eye twitching in the course of the disease. If, on the other hand, the eye twitching occurs only irregularly, it is most likely a nervous twitching, which is triggered by stress or overtiredness, and which will resolve itself after a few days to weeks. Mineral deficiencies, malnutrition or eye strain from working in front of a computer screen are usually not problematic – a visit to the doctor is only necessary if the complaints increase and the eye twitching restricts the quality of life, or if other symptoms occur that indicate a serious underlying disease.

Treatment and therapy

Depending on the cause of the eye twitch, there are several methods to address an eye twitch. For example, if an eye twitch is caused by stress factors, relaxation methods can help the eye twitch subside. There are many different relaxation methods; in each case, it is important to find out which relaxation method seems most pleasant and effective for the individual. Relaxing massages can also have a positive effect. Eye twitching can possibly also be alleviated by a conscious diet: Above all, a sufficient supply of magnesium is mentioned here by physicians, because magnesium is an important link between nerve signals and muscle reactions. If not enough magnesium can be taken in with food, it can be taken in the form of dietary supplements, for example. Sufficient so-called trace elements (substances important for the body) can also play a role in combating eye twitching. In addition, sufficient (in a healthy measure) physical exercise can have a positive effect on an eye twitch. If eye twitching is based on a certain disease, a first therapeutic step is often to combat this disease.

Outlook and prognosis

Occasional eye twitching is found in a large proportion of the population. Simple causes such as overstimulation of the optic nerve or overtiredness favor a good prognosis. After a deliberate rest period of a few hours or one to two days, symptoms resolve completely without further treatment. However, if they persist, a check-up by a general practitioner or ophthalmologist is advisable. Irritation of the cornea or even slight injury caused by foreign bodies often recede completely after their removal. A similar situation can be observed in the successful treatment of stress patients. Increased psychological resilience reduces the physical manifestation in the body. There are also reliable therapeutic approaches against high blood pressure, which can provoke an overreaction of individual nerves. However, there are worse prospects in case of a rapid decrease of the visual ability in case of deep-seated wounds, severe infections or even an ischemic stroke (cerebral infarction). If a serious background is suspected, rapid action is crucial for a good prognosis. Underlying diseases such as multiple sclerosis or hyperthyroidism can be noticeably curbed by medication. However, the risk of a relapse and consequent eye twitching remains for the rest of the patient’s life. Due to the variety of causes for eye twitching, a clear prognosis is only possible after close examination by a specialist.In most cases, the symptom proves to be both annoying and inconsequential without any other accompanying symptoms.

Prevention

Some possible steps to prevent eye twitching are similar to corresponding therapeutic steps: in principle, eye twitching can often be prevented by a balanced lifestyle. For example, it can be helpful to avoid or reduce excessive stress. A rich diet is also a possible preventive factor. Such a lifestyle may also reduce the risk of contracting infections that can lead to eye twitching.

Here’s what you can do yourself

Ideally, affected individuals counter stress-induced eye twitching in their daily lives with measures to reduce stress immediately. While changes in everyday working life often cannot be realized immediately, small measures in private everyday life are usually feasible. For example, reducing appointments and private obligations is helpful for many sufferers, so that body and mind can find peace. Evening activities in particular cause stress for many people. Those who are still tired and rushing from meeting to meeting cannot switch off. The consumption of social media and the permanent use of the smartphone also lead to constant inner tension in some people, which can be reduced by consciously switching off the technology. Autogenic training, yoga and other mental relaxation exercises can usually be easily integrated into everyday life. They help to increase inner calmness, which can positively influence eye twitching. Eye twitch sufferers can also take supplements containing magnesium and vitamin B12. These vitamins and minerals can have a positive effect on the muscles by having a cramping effect. Often, the twitching eye is perceived much more intensively by those affected themselves than by those around them. However, those who constantly fear that other people will notice the eye twitching become even more stressed as a result. Here, an open approach to the problem can lead to more relaxation, which in turn should also positively influence the eye twitch.