Eye Twitching
What Causes Eye Twitching and How to Stop It?
Eye twitching is a common condition not considered a major problem or illness since it usually goes away on its own. However, if eye twitching occurs constantly and repeatedly, it may be beneficial to see a doctor. This condition can be classified as a health problem related to the eye muscles. So what is eye twitching, what causes it, and how can it be treated? Here are the details you need to know:
What is Eye Twitching?
Eye twitching is a condition that occurs when the muscles in the upper eyelids suddenly and involuntarily contract. These contractions, which may occur many times throughout the day, can negatively affect a person’s daily life. Although eye twitching usually does not require treatment and can disappear on its own, in some cases, it can turn into blepharospasm. In this condition, both eyelids contract severely and cause the eye to close. So what causes eye twitching?
What Causes Eye Twitching?
Of course, the first thing people who experience eye twitching do is investigate the factors that cause this problem. Here are the causes of eye twitching:
- Rubbing the eyes too much
- Physical trauma to the eye,
- Tiredness,
- Eye irritation,
- Stress,
- Allergies,
- Infections,
- Excessive consumption of alcohol, tobacco products, and caffeine,
- Side effects of some medications,
- Insomnia,
- Tension in the eyelid,
- Exposure to sunlight or bright lights.
Brain tumors are also among the causes of eye twitching, but this possibility is rare.
How to Stop Eye Twitching?
Although most cases of eye twitching go away on their own, experiencing persistent eye twitching can be frustrating. Here are some ways to try to stop eye twitching: These are;
- Cardio exercises (jumping rope, tennis, swimming, running, walking),
- Reducing caffeine, tobacco, and tea consumption,
- Getting regular and sufficient sleep,
- Doing relaxation exercises,
- Botox injections
Botox Method for Eye Twitching Treatment
There are various treatment methods for persistent eye twitching, and one of them is Botox treatment. Botox application can be used to treat blepharospasm (i.e., severe abnormal eye twitching). So, how does it work?
Botox treatment is applied to the muscles around the eye area. Before the application, an anesthetic cream is applied to the treatment area to numb the area. Botox is injected into the muscles around the eyes to prevent eye twitching.
Within 5-10 days after the treatment, the discomfort of eye twitching decreases. However, depending on the effectiveness of the treatment and the patient’s condition, botox treatment may need to be continued.
For all your questions about botox and the post-treatment process for eye twitching, you can contact Associate Professor Dr. Andaç Aykan and his team.
