Testing....
If you’re reading this, you know the feeling: You’re trying to read something or just watch a little TV and there’s this one eyelid that starts twitching. You close your eyes, open them, think you’ve cleared it, and it starts again… and you don’t know how to make it stop.
While eye twitching is usually not a sign of something serious, it’s common in pregnancy and can be kind of maddening. Here’s how to make it stop, and what to do if it doesn’t abate.
Eyelid twitching (known as eyelid myokymia) is a spontaneous, gentle, rippling contraction of the orbicularis oculi muscle. It’s more commonly felt in the lower eyelid than the upper but in rare cases can occur in both upper and lower eyelids at the same time.
It can be periodic, lasting only a few seconds, or go on for hours. Even outside pregnancy, women are more likely to get it than men and cold weather increases the risk [*].
Yes, pregnant women often experience eye twitching and other sight disturbances for a number of reasons. While these issues typically resolve on their own or with rest and nutritional supplements, certain vision issues can indicate a more serious condition that needs medical diagnosis and treatment.
Eye twitching can happen at any time in pregnancy. When it starts depends on the underlying trigger. For instance, when the cause is a buildup of fluid or pressure, you may see it later in pregnancy. When it arises from a rush of hormones or a nutritional deficit, you may see it earlier.
The etiology of eyelid myokymia is not well known. It is thought to be caused by a malfunction of certain nervous system cells called basal ganglia. Eye spasms or eye twitching usually occur in one eye or the other and can happen for reasons that are physiological or pathological [*].
Eye twitch can occur for the first time in pregnancy or exacerbate an eye issue you had before pregnancy. Here are the common triggers for eye twitching during pregnancy [*]:
Physiological causes of eye twitching are related to the fundamental changes your body is going through (hormonal fluctuations, increased blood flow, changes in the cornea) and may be precipitated by the following:
When eye twitching is considered pathological, it means it is a symptom of an underlying disease or condition that should be diagnosed and managed by your care team.
In non-pregnant persons, eye twitching may point to a brain or nervous system disorder such as multiple sclerosis, an autoimmune disease, Tourette syndrome, or brainstem glioma but this is rare [*][*][*].
When arising in pregnancy, your care term may be on the alert for disorders such as these:
Yes, eye twitching can be a symptom of preeclampsia and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. If you have eye twitching and also have blurred vision, floaters, bad headaches, or severe abdominal pain, call your doctor and get to an urgent care provider as soon as possible.
Prompt recognition and management of eye issues like eye twitching, eye dryness, and vision changes in pregnancy can help avoid complications that could threaten your sight or be symptomatic of a pregnancy complication that could negatively affect your baby [*].
Here are a few things you can do at home or in tandem with your care team’s recommendations to get rid of this annoying twitching.
We know it can be hard if you’re working or managing other children to find time for yourself, so make the time you have count.
Invest in a little footbath if that soothes you, or a lavender eye pillow that you can pop in the freezer and apply to your beleaguered eyes (It may also help you sleep!). If time allows, get a massage or spend some time floating in a pool to stimulate blood flow and encourage lymphatic drainage. A warm bath or a cool compress on your eyes may feel soothing as well.
Vitamins and minerals like magnesium, calcium, and potassium help your body control muscle contractions and nerve impulses. Talk to your care team about supplementing your diet with magnesium-rich foods or a magnesium malate supplement.
The best dietary source of magnesium is roasted pumpkin seeds (pepitas), with a whopping 156mg of magnesium in a 1-ounce serving. Green leafy vegetables, chia seeds, nuts like almonds and peanuts, boiled spinach, soymilk, black beans, peanut butter, bananas, and grains like brown rice are also good sources, too. But note that only about 30-40% of dietary magnesium is absorbed by the body [*][*][*].
If you opt for a supplement, ask your doctor about magnesium malate, a supplement combining magnesium and malic acid, a compound typically found in fruits that gives them a tart taste. It is more bioavailable than other magnesium supplements and may be easier on your stomach [*].
If you drink coffee, tea, or caffeinated sodas, try to reduce your caffeine intake or omit it altogether to see if your symptoms abate.
Give yourself a one-minute break from the computer every 20 minutes and use an eye drop your doctor approves of for dry eyes.
For persistent twitching beyond pregnancy or conditions like blepharitis, your doctor may recommend a Botox injection.
Not necessarily. Many women have no pregnancy symptoms early on and others may experience breast tenderness, fatigue, and mild cramping very early in pregnancy [*]. There’s no research to support the notion that eye twitching is a signal you’re pregnant.
There are a number of other eye issues that can occur with pregnancy that may require evaluation. These include [*]:
If your eye closes completely with each twitch, it could be a symptom of hemifacial spasm. This should be evaluated by your doctor.
High blood pressure and elevated glucose levels in pregnancy can cause tiny specks of vitreous gel to float in and out of your vision. It may be normal but can also be a sign of preeclampsia so be sure to mention it to your care team [*].
Changes to the cornea during pregnancy can lead to increased sensitivity and dry eyes, which may get worse as the pregnancy progresses [*]. Do your best to stay hydrated and ask your doctor if eye drops are okay to use. If you have allergies, try to stay away from triggers.
Red eyes may be the sign of an infection such as pink eye (conjunctivitis), caused in part by eye dryness. It is uncomfortable but easily treatable in pregnancy.
There are a number of problems that blurred vision may indicate. Hormone changes can cause uveitis, a swelling of middle eye tissue, which results in blurred vision. Pregnant women who develop gestational diabetes are at risk for diabetic retinopathy, a serious problem whose symptoms include blurred vision, changes in perception of color, and restriction in field of vision [*].
Water retention during pregnancy can lead to thickening of the cornea in the second and third trimester of pregnancy, making eyes dry and contact lenses intolerable. This can also cause blurred vision [*].
Most often, eyelid myokymia resolves within a few days or weeks with rest, supplements, or an avoidance of what may have triggered it (stress, caffeine, medication, etc.). If it doesn’t resolve or you experience any of the following symptoms, it’s time to see a specialist [*]:
Eyelid twitching in pregnancy is common. It’s usually nothing to worry about and can typically be treated with rest and mineral supplements.
If it occurs in tandem with other symptoms or doesn’t go away in a few weeks with treatment at home, talk to your doctor about diagnosis and management.
MiracleCord offers the industry’s most advanced umbilical cord blood stem cell banking at affordable prices. Stem cell treatments are used to treat more than 80 life-threatening blood disorders with many thousands more applications in trials.
Discover why MiracleCord was awarded Best U.S. Cord Blood Bank by Global Health & Pharma, and download our Free Info Kit to discover what makes us different.
DISCLAIMER: THE INFORMATION ON THIS WEBSITE IS NOT INTENDED TO BE USED AS MEDICAL ADVICE.The materials and information contained on the MiracleCord website is provided for educational and informational purposes only, and is not intended to, and does not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis, and should not be used as such. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease. If you are seeking personal medical advice, you should consult with a licensed physician. Always consult with a qualified health care provider regarding a medical condition.
Coning during pregnancy and post-partum is an underreported, undertreated condition that can lead to serious health problems. Learn how to recognize it and what to do about it before, during and after your pregnancy.
Read Full Article
The placenta is your baby’s lifeline. Its position in the womb can significantly affect the health of the mother and baby during pregnancy and just after birth, too. Here’s what to know about how placental
Read Full Article
Fish oil supplementation during pregnancy is important for optimizing the health of both the mother and baby. If you are wondering how fish oil might benefit your pregnancy, look no further. This article will tell you
Read Full Article