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What causes twitching in my eyes?

Most people will develop some type of minor eyelid twitch in their lifetime, as there are a variety of external factors that can account for twitching eyes. While we all feel tired and stressed at certain times, our bodies handle it in different ways. Fatigue, stress, eye strain, and caffeine or alcohol consumption, seem to be the most common sources of eye twitching. Eye strain, or vision-related stress, can occur if you need glasses, a change in prescription, or are consistently working in front of a computer. Additionally, many experts believe that too much caffeine or alcohol can also trigger minor eye twitches.

There are some cases where eye twitching is more than a temporary annoyance and is a sign of an eye condition, such as dry eyes. Meanwhile, blepharitis is a chronic inflammation of the eyelid which may cause uncomfortable twitching. There are treatments that can soothe the twitching along with other symptoms; such as over-the-counter artificial tears, hot and cold compresses, or a prescribed cream or scrub. A small percentage of people who experience eye twitching can develop benign essential blepharospasm; the forceful, involuntary contraction of the eyelid to the point where you can’t open your eyes.

What should I do about a popped blood vessel in my eye?

Also known as a subconjunctival hemorrhage, a popped blood vessel in the eye can look dreadful, but it actually is far less worrisome than it appears! With all the possible causes, there is only one treatment for a burst blood vessel – time! Subconjunctival hemorrhages generally treat themselves, as the conjunctiva slowly absorbs the blood over time. Think of it like a bruise on the eye. Expect a full recovery within two weeks, without any long-term complications. Although eye drops will not repair the burst vessel, they can help soothe the heaviness or irritation.

So, what should you do about a popped blood vessel in your eye? Be as patient as possible and gentle to the eye, using eye-drops for comfort as needed. It is as simple as that! If for some reason you experience pain, discharge, a change in vision, the eye does not clear up after two weeks, or you have recurrent subconjunctival hemorrhages in the span of a few months, you may have a more serious problem on hand, and need to call your eye doctor right away.

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