Q: How can I get my eye to stop twitching?
A: Three common causes for an eye twitch are stress, fatigue and caffeine intake.
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So the best treatments for an eye twitch are to reduce the stressors in your life, get plenty of rest, and drink fewer caffeinated beverages.
- Whether stress is related to work, relationships or finances, seeking help from a professional can help you prioritize what’s important in your life and consider solutions. Mindfulness techniques like meditation are also helpful in reducing stress.
- If you’re always fatigued, talk to your primary care doctor. Sleep disorders, such as insomnia and sleep apnea, are very common. Other medical conditions, such as hypothyroidism, can cause fatigue.
- It’s also important to know that as you get older, it can take you longer to metabolize caffeine. So you may have to cut back not just on coffee, but also on tea and caffeinated sodas, especially later in the day.
What can you do in the meantime? I often recommend warm compresses to help relax the eye muscles. And, sometimes, a twitch can be a sign of dry eye or allergy, for which I recommend eye drops.
—Optometrist Stephanie Erwin, OD
