Are you tired, stressed out, you can't stand it anymore and it shows. Not from dark circles, and not even from the little wrinkle that seems to have appeared this morning but from eyelid dancing! How many times has it happened to you, at an interview, at an interesting meeting, to think: “Now no, don't tremble now!”. But that's right, the more tired and stressed you are, the more chances are high that you will get myochemy, because this is the medical term for eyelid tremor.
The eyelid contractionsdiscomfort aside, they are not dangerous to your health although difficult to treat and diagnose with one eye examination. They are considered idiopathic annoyances, a term that indicates precisely the unknown origin of the disorder, and its transitory character. Of course, even on the transience we must understand each other, because they can last for months.
Here are the 7 causes of eyelid flickering
Let's see what are the most common causes that can provoke myochemia. 7 have been identified:
1 – Stress
When you are under stress the your body reacts in several ways and the flickering of the eyes is just one of them. It also becomes more insistent when tied to poor eyesight caused by excessive eye strain. It is evident that reducing the cause of stress helps to decrease or eliminate the spasms.
2 - Eye fatigue
This state occurs when you try hard to read because you need glasses and you still don't know. Or why maybe you need to change the lens correction. Fatigue from computers, tablets and smartphones is also a very common cause of visual stress today.
If the eyelid spasms are persistent and very annoying, it is advisable that you undergo one eye examination to assess eye health conditions.
3 - Tiredness
Lack of sleep can activate the eyelid spasm mechanism. It goes without saying that you have to try to get more sleep!
4 - Caffeine and alcohol
Too much caffeine or too much alcohol can contribute to trigger eyelid contractions. It is important that you reduce your intake of caffeine (coffee, tea, cola-based fizzy drinks) and alcohol intake.
5 - Dry eyes
Dry eyes are common in those who use the computer a lot, in whom take certain types of medications (antihistamines, antidepressants, etc.) and in contact lens wearers. It is good to contact the ophthalmologist to evaluate thepossible presence of "dry eye", as there are specific treatments that can help.
6 - Nutritional imbalances
Some studies indicate that the lack of certain nutrients, as the magnesium and potassium, can trigger myochemy. In these cases it is sufficient to supplement the intake of these minerals. Talk to your family doctor who will evaluate dosage and method of administration.
7 - Allergies
People with eye allergy problems they may have excessive tearing, swelling and itchy eyes. When the eyes are rubbed, histamine is released into the conjunctiva and tearing increases. Some evidence indicates that thehistamine itself can cause eyelid spasms.
When myochemia affects children
An extra eye (it should be said) and particular attention should be paid in the event that the myochemy affects children of school age or children who already wear glasses. A type of spasm characterized by very fast and repeated eyelid movements, which affects both eyes, may be symptom of a visual problem. In this case it becomes necessary to subject the children to one eye examination to determine whether it is appropriate to make him wear, or change, his glasses.
Likewise, it is important to pay close attention if the spasm turns out to be more extensive and involves other facial muscles. It could in fact be blepharospasm or hemifacial spasm, symptoms that indicate a possible neurological suffering and that absolutely must not be underestimated.
How is it treated?
Sometimes they are prescribed pharmacological treatments based on antihistamines: these drugs, however, may have some contraindications and therefore the therapy should be evaluated with your ophthalmologist to understand if this treatment is really indicated also in your case.
Benzodiazepines too they can be prescribed in the treatment of myochemia but they prove themselves effective only in about 15% of cases.
THEacupuncture it has proved to be an effective method in many cases even if there is no scientific evidence.
So, as with many ailments or minor illnesses, the first and best treatment to follow is: take better care of yourself!
If the spasms don't go away
In rare cases, eyelid spasms just don't go away. In these cases myochemia can be successfully treated with the Botox. However, only the doctor will be able to make a correct diagnosis and reveal if you are the right candidate to undergo this treatment.
