Know in depth information about eyelid myokymia by visiting your port credit optometrist today.
Eyelid myokymia is commonly known as the involuntary mild contraction of the eyelid muscles. It is considered as an idiopathic condition, which simply means that the main cause of the twitching has not yet been fully identified. It typically occurs on the lower eyelid of an eye and posts no significant health risk to a person. However, eyelid myokymia may sometimes get interchanged with the disorder called blepharospasm.
Blepharospasm is manifested through the involuntary squinting and blinking of both eyes. A more serious symptom of this disorder is the total shutdown of the eyelids which remain uncontrollable for a few more seconds during the eyelids’ closure.
Eyelid myokymia may be experienced randomly on numerous occasions, but take note of how often it occurs and how long the twitching last. The frequency and duration of the eyelid twitch together with other eye discomfort may suggest other health issues that must be addressed. Any eye discomfort that propagates for three days or so must be checked by an eye doctor immediately.
How do you obtain Eyelid Myokymia?
Significant studies have pointed out that eyelid myokymia is not hereditary, therefore it is not acquired through someone’s genetic makeup. Instead, involuntary eye twitching might be a sign of something else that your body might be trying to inform you. An overwhelming percentage of individuals who experienced eyelid myokymia have these lifestyle factors in common:
Fatigue: Physical and mental exhaustion might lead to sudden involuntary muscle twitches across the body. Eyelid twitches are not exception to this.
Too much caffeine: An excessive intake of caffeine, especially true for coffee lovers and energy drink enthusiasts, aggressively shoots up energy which prompts some involuntary muscle twitches like eyelid myokymia.
High-levels of stress: Pressure and stress felt by an individual are seen to be great determining factors of involuntary eyelid twitching because these prompt the body to alleviate any uncomfortable feeling through involuntary movements on very rare occasions.
Lack of sleep: Lack of sleep may also prompt the eyelids to twitch involuntarily due to lesser muscle control, especially around the eyes.
Dry eyes: A lack of proper eye lubrication may signal the eyelids to involuntarily have mild spasms.
Incorrect eye wear grade: Incorrect eye wear grade, may it be on an individual’s eyeglasses or contact lenses, will be manifested through a handful of ways, including the random eyelid twitches.
Prolonged usage of digital screens: Being in front of digital screens for hours on end without any break will strain the eyes considerably. Twitches around the eyes, together with some other eye strain consequences such as drying and redness can be observed.
What should you do when Involuntary Eye Twitches occur frequently?
Typically, eyelid myokymia will be resolved on its own without any medical intervention. It can disappear entirely or it needs home remedies to alleviate the rippling muscle contraction on the eyelids. But ultimately, it does not require any medical attention.
Home Remedies to Keep Eyelid Myokymia at Bay
Get sufficient rest: Take breaks every time you feel like your body needs it. Rests allow the body to recalibrate and shake off unnecessary stress.
Cut off caffeine intake significantly: Avoid drinking coffee, tea, soft drinks or energy drinks for the meantime. Also monitor your eating habits when it comes to food with caffeine content such as chocolate and protein bars.
Alternate hot and cold compress on the affected eye/s: Carefully apply hot and cold compress on the affected eye/s alternately for about 5 minutes. Compression methods help ease out muscle contraction and promote relaxation of the affected eyelid muscles.
Avoid stress and pressure: Detach from any unwanted stress and pressure from your environment and interactions. Keep good-natured pressure and minimize getting stressed out.
7-hours of sleep is the best kind of sleep: 6 to 8 hours are the recommended hours of sleep a person must have each night. If an individual cannot achieve this for any reason, make sure to sleep as early as possible, not later than 12 o’ clock at midnight.
Keep the 20-20-20 rule in mind: If looking at digital screens for long periods of time is inevitable, always remember to stare at an object 20 feet away from you, for 20 seconds, every 20 minutes you stare at a digital screen.
Make sure to meet with your eye doctor at least once a year for these reasons:
Eye lubrication is important: Be mindful of your eyes’ lubricating capabilities, if you suspect you have the dry eyes syndrome, meet with your optometrist immediately and seek professional advice. An eye drop prescription will be given to you, make sure to use it frequently as advised by your eye doctor.
Correct any faulty eye wear grade immediately: Another important reason to visit your optometrist at least once a year is to make sure that your eye wear grade is up to date. Any sign of headaches accommodated by eyelid twitches are great indicators of incorrect eye wear grade. If you suspect that your eye wear grade is not up to date with your current eye grade, schedule an appointment with your optometrist today for a comprehensive eye exam.
Is it the right time to visit your optometrist because of Involuntary Eyelid Twitches?
As mentioned, eyelid myokymia does not post any fatal health risk that needs medical attention on its own. However, when the twitching persists longer than three days, even when home remedies are being used. And discomfort begins to build up along the eyes with other irritating eye conditions, seek professional assistance as soon as possible.
Other symptoms that make eyelid myokymia a symptom of another condition
On its own, eyelid myokymia is harmless. But equipped with other conditions, eye twitching becomes a symptom of a greater health issue that might need to be medically addressed. Such conditions are as follow:
Eyelid twitches accompanied by other facial twitches: Any reoccurring involuntary twitches across the face, may it be an eyelid twitch together with something else, may signify early stages of brain and nerve disorders such as:
Bell’s palsy
Dystonia
Parkinson’s disease
Tourette’s syndrome
Frequent reoccurrence of eyelid twitches together with puffy eyelids and watery eyes: Another explanation for persistent eyelid twitching is an allergic reaction to medication. This is usually accommodated by puffy eyelids and watery eyes among others.
Involuntary eyelid twitching will be briefly experienced by most of us at some point in our lives. It usually isn’t a threat to our health until it becomes persistently reoccurring while other eye conditions begin to form as well. If so, visit us here at Trillium Eye Care in Port Credit, Mississauga. We have the highest regard for first-in-class eye care se rvices and we are equipped with the latest facilities to provide the most accurate results. Our port credit Eye Doctors are always available to answer your inquiries regarding eyelid myokymia, so schedule your eye exam online now by clicking here.