How to Stop Your Eye or Eyebrow from Jumping

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Last Updated: July 22, 2021 References

Eye twitching (a condition known scientifically as “benign essential blepharospasm)” is a common disorder that rarely requires serious medical attention. Usually, it will disappear on its own, before you have an opportunity to correct it. However, if you diagnose the cause of the twitching and make a few simple lifestyle changes, you can get rid yourself of the annoying (and sometime awkward) condition a bit more quickly. ^{[1]
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Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Fixing the Twitch on Your Own

1
Rest your eyes. Eye strain is also a common cause of twitching. Consider whether you have been spending too much time looking at a computer screen or reading. You can also experience eye strain if your prescription lenses need to be replaced.
- Try to avoid using a computer for a little while, and perhaps consider purchasing glasses intended for computer screens.^{[2]
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- You should also try to avoid bright lights and wind, both of which can cause eye strain.^{[3]
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Over the counter eye drops can help alleviate many of the conditions that cause eye twitching, including dry eyes, eye strain, and allergies. While you might ultimately want to seek professional assistance with some of those disorders, for immediate relief it is worth considering an over-the-counter eye drop.^{[4]
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3
Stay away from drugs. Caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco can all cause eye twitching. Eliminate your intake of all of these until the twitching disappears.^{[5]
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- Some prescription drugs, like antidepressants and antihistamines, can cause a condition known as dry eyes, which can cause eye twitching.
Stress and lack of sleep can be major contributing factors. If you’ve been working too hard, the first thing you should do is take some time to sleep in.^{[6]
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Always wash your hands before touching your eyes. Wash off all makeup before going to bed at night.
6
Eat a well-rounded diet. Vitamin D and B12 deficiencies are often thought to cause eye twitching.^{[7]
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Research source} Although there is no hard evidence, a magnesium deficiency is also thought to be a contributing factor.^{[8]
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- To up your intake of Vitamin D eat fish, oysters and dairy.
- For Vitamin B12, eat more fish, lamb, crab, and beef.^{[9]
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- For magnesium, eat yogurt, fish, avocado, nuts, soybeans, dark chocolate, bananas, and dark leafy greens like kale, collard greens, spinach, or chard.^{[10]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Receiving Professional Assistance

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Visit the optometrist. If you are unable to fix the condition on your own, you should visit a professional eye doctor. She should be able to give you better prescription lenses that might reduce eye strain. Otherwise she might help treat a case of dry eyes or diagnose allergies.
- More than half of senior citizens suffer from dry eyes. If you are also experiencing pain, light sensitivity, the feeling of sand in your eye, or blurring vision, it is possible that you have dry eyes. A doctor will likely prescribe eye drops to alleviate the condition.^{[11]
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- Allergies can also cause twitching. Your doctor will recommend prescription antihistamine tablets or eye drops to alleviate the condition.
If the twitching persists, a doctor might prescribe Clonazepam, Lorazepam, or Trihexyphenidyl, though none of these drugs have high success rates. A surgical procedure known as a myectomy is much more effective, however, it should be reserved for particularly serious cases.^{[12]
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Although there is no science to support it, some people believe that biofeedback, acupuncture, hypnosis, or chiropractic care can eliminate an eye twitch. If nothing else has worked and you are open to these treatments, it shouldn’t hurt to try them.^{[13]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Understanding the Condition

Eye twitching is common and usually not a serious condition. Most cases of “benign essential blepharospasm” disappear without ever being treated or diagnosed. Because stress is one of the causes of eye twitching, worrying about it will only be counterproductive.^{[14]
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2
Know the causes. Unfortunately, there is no direct way to stop eye twitching. You will need to diagnose the cause of your twitching and then eliminate to calm your overactive lids.
- The most common causes of eye twitching are stress, fatigue, eye strain, caffeine, alcohol, dry eyes, nutritional deficiencies, and allergies.^{[15]
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3
Know when to call the doctor. Occasionally an eye twitch can be caused by a serious medical condition. You generally will not need to visit the doctor for an eye twitch. But it is important to see the doctor if you begin to experience any of the following symptoms.
- A twitch that doesn’t go away after a few weeks. It is not uncommon for a twitch to last for two weeks; anything longer than that and you should consider visiting a doctor.
- A twitch that forces you to completely close your eye or causes other parts of your face to twitch as well.
- Any other accompanying eye abnormalities. You should see a doctor, for example, if your eye turns red, swells up, leaks a discharge, or your eyelids begin to droop.^{[16]
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