What causes Eyelid Twitching?

All of us have experienced eyelid twitching from time to time. For women, if the left eyelid twitches continuously for more than 3 times, it's supposed to be a good omen whereas right eyelid twitching is a bad omen. For men, it's vice versa. But what if both the eyelids start twitching simultaneously? Fortunately or unfortunately nobody knows for sure what this omen indicates! Superstitious notions aside, let's find out what causes the eyelids to twitch sometimes.

Eye Twitching happens when the eyelid twitches or flutters involuntarily. It can occur under the eye and or it can happen in either the right or left eye. In simple words, eye twitching is a blinking disorder. If eyelid twitching occurs in both your eyes then you have what is known as blepharospasm and it could be a sign of a more serious problem and could signify a neurological disorder. However, if you have a right eye twitch or left eye twitch then you could have a hemifacial spasm which is usually less serious, but you cannot rule out other complications such as tumours.

There are numerous possible causes and they are usually so vague that it's hard to really determine which one is at fault. However, many eye experts suspect that eye fatigue and general stress contribute to twitching. Periodically relaxing your eyes by focusing into the distance for a few seconds when using a computer or reading can help prevent fluttering. Some simple eye twitches are probably similar to the twitches that you experience sometimes in your legs and arms. So these could also be due to muscle fatigue and electrolyte imbalances. Make sure you are well hydrated and have adequate magnesium, potassium, calcium, and vitamin D in your diet.  Some healthy food to add to counteract nutritional deficiency are bananas, raisins, apricots, and leafy green vegetables like spinach and mint. Just as gentle stretching helps leg muscle spasms/cramps, applying a warm compress or massaging the eyes when they twitch can also help. You might try the eye equivalent of gentle stretching by slowly closing your eye, pause briefly, then open it slightly larger than normal and pause for a second. Try doing ten repetitions ten time per day. Also consume less caffeine, which can make the muscles jittery.

However if  twitching persists beyond three or four weeks, see an ophthalmologist; it could stem from squinting to compensate for poor vision or even signal a neurological problem. Twitching (usually blepharospasm) that worsens may require mild tranquillizers or shots of botulinum toxin (Botox). Some limited studies have also shown that complimentary alternative medicine such as acupuncture may be useful in certain patients.

See also: Tulsi (Basil) for inflammation and itching of the eyelids / Honey as eye nourisher