Have you ever experienced an eye twitch? While it can be annoying, eye twitching can also be extremely worrisome. Fortunately, in most cases, eye twitching is not a sign of a serious condition, but can be a symptom of factors such as too much caffeine and/or sleep deprivation.

During Save Your Vision Month this March, our team at AFC Urgent Care Fountain City wants you to know the main causes of eye twitching, as well as ways you can prevent it from occurring on a regular basis.

What Is Eye Twitching?

The medical term for eye twitching is “myokymia,” and it is defined as an involuntary, repetitive spasm of a person’s eyelid muscles. Although mostly occurring in the upper eyelid, there are cases where the spasm can affect both the upper and lower eyelids.

While most people experience an eye twitch or two every now and then, it is important to be aware of how often the twitch occurs, as well as what is usually going on in your life around the moments that eye twitching happens the most.

Main Causes of Eye Twitching

• Stress
• Fatigue
• Eye strain
• Caffeine
• Alcohol
• Dry eyes
• Nutrition deficiencies
• Allergies

How Can I Prevent My Eye From Twitching?

Depending on the cause of your eye twitch, there are different things you can do to try and prevent it from happening. First, if you are getting an eye twitch because of lack of sleep, you want to be sure to get the recommended seven to nine hours of sleep each night.

In addition, you might want to lower your intake of caffeine and/or alcohol, as well as work on ways to better manage your stress, especially if that could be the cause of your eye twitching.

Treatment for Eye Twitching

• Drink less caffeine.
• Get adequate sleep.
• Keep your eyes lubricated if dry, such as with over-the-counter artificial tears or eye drops.
• Apply a warm compress to your eyes when the eye twitching begins.

Did you get something in your eye? Visit AFC Urgent Care Fountain City today for a medical evaluation and treatment plan. No appointment is necessary.