Eye Spasms

Eye spasms or eye twitch is a very common problem that is faced by almost everybody. Mostly one may experience the bottom eyelid spasms. Sometimes the top eyelid also twitches. Eye spasms may last form a few seconds to a few minutes. Many times they can even last for more than a few weeks to months. There are many superstitions connected to eye twitching. But, in this Buzzle article, we shall concentrate more on the medical causes of eye twitch.

Causes
Eye spasms is also referred as eye muscle spasms. The abnormal blinking or involuntary eye twitching of the eyelids that is due to uncontrolled contractions of the muscles around the eyelids is medically called blepharospasm. There are basically three most common types of eyelid spasms. They are as follows:

• Eye Twitch: The minor eye twitching that affects the lower eyelid of one or both eyes is called eye twitch. This is a very common eye spasms and has no ill effects. The eye spasm causes in this case is unknown.
• Essential Blepharospasm: This is involuntary eye muscles that effects both eyelids and sometimes the eyebrows. The eyelids close involuntarily and in advance cases the spasms also involve the mouth or neck muscles. A person cannot see temporarily, as the eyelids close due to the eye spasms. This is a very rare type of eye spasm and the cause in this case is due to abnormal nerve impulses causing muscle spasms.
• Hemifacial Spasms: The hemifacial spasms is a type of eye spasm that affects the eyelids and the muscles around the mouth. The muscles affected are usually on one side of the face. The cause of eye spasm in this case is due to an artery pressing on the nerve that passes through the facial muscles. This causes the face to twitch.

There are many other causes of eye spasm that commonly include:

• Corneal irritation
• Stress
• Sleep deprivation
• Fatigue
• Eye strain
• Neurological disorders
• Maybe a hereditary condition

Eye spasms is sometimes a sign of anxiety and the body's way to ask you to relax. They are usually a normal phenomenon and many may vouch they usually experience eye spasms before an important occasion or meeting. Eye spasms in children is usually caused due to focusing on a single object for a long time. Therefore watching the computer screen, video game or television for a long time may be the cause of eye spasms in children.

Many times causes also include excessive intake of caffeine and alcohol may also trigger eye twitching. Elder people experience eye spasms usually due to dry eyes. People who use the computer most of the day or are taking antihistamines and antidepressants may also experience eye spasms. Eye spasm causes may also include eye irritation due to contact lenses that leads to dry eye. If you are suffering from a nutritional imbalance like magnesium in your body, it may also cause eye spasms. Eye allergies like itching, swelling and water eyes may also cause eye twitching.

How to Stop Eye Spasms?
Most of the time you won't require any treatment, as eye spasm is a very general phenomenon. But in case of a chronic eye spasm, you may require oral medications and botox injections as treatment. Many people have a question, how to stop eye spasms as although it may not be a serious problem, it is a very annoying condition. Let us see some of the cure, according to the type of eye spasms.

Eye Spasm Cure for Eyelid Twitch
The minor eyelid twitch is never a major problem as the twitching lasts for a few seconds to couple of minutes. If you are searching for some eye spasm cure for this minor twitch you may try taking a warm soak or reduce stress. You may also be asked to reduce your caffeine and alcohol intake by the ophthalmologist. Many times eye correction by use of eye glasses may also solve the problem.

Eye Spasm Cure for Blepharospasm
You can try treatment like medication, Botox injections and surgery in some cases to get rid of blepharospasm. The Botox injections effects last for several months and is a very successful eye spasms treatment. In some cases, however, there may be some side effects like drooping eye lids, double vision, dry eye, etc. These side effects wear off soon. In case of surgery, the eye surgeon may remove the nerve that is causing the spasm. He may also remove the spastic muscles. The results of surgical treatment and side effects, if any are permanent.

Eye Spasm Cure for Hemifacial Spasm
The most useful and successful eye spasm treatment in this case is Botox injections. A surgical procedure involving artery on the nerve may be carried out. This neurosurgical procedure is very fruitful but has many serious complications and side effects involved.

You can easily prevent eye spasms by R&R, that is, relaxation and rest. You can even try some eye twitch remedies and try to stop your eye from twitching. Do not stress yourself out so much that your body has to send out signals to stop and take rest. Make sure you give your eyes ample rest and take good eye care to prevent strain. If you are suffering from a chronic eye spasm problem, visit an eye specialist to help you out of your condition.