The eyelid tremor of the eye is a very common condition that usually happens due to the tired muscles of the eyelid and is therefore very similar to what happens in a cramp in another muscle of the body, for example.
Generally, the tremor affects only one of the eyelids of one eye, especially the lower eyelid, however, this type of tremor can also affect both eyelids and even the two eyes, although it is a rarer situation.
In most cases, the tremor lasts for a day or two, but there are cases where the shaking persists for a few weeks or months, making it a major nuisance. In these cases, you should consult an ophthalmologist or a general practitioner, as it can also be a sign of vision problems or infection, for example.
If you also feel pain in the eye, see the main causes of eye pain.
Top 7 Causes of Eyelid Shiver
Although the tremor is caused by the tiredness of the eye muscles, there are several causes that can contribute to this situation, which include:
1. Excessive stress
Stress causes several changes in the body, especially in the functioning of muscles, due to the action of the hormones that are released.
In this way, the smaller muscles, such as the eyelids, may be the most affected, moving involuntarily.
What to do to stop : If you are going through a period of increased stress, you should try relaxing activities such as hanging out with friends, watching a movie or taking yoga classes, for example, to help balance hormone production and to stop the tremors.
2. Few hours of sleep
When you sleep less than 7 or 8 hours a night, your eye muscles can get very tired as they need to stay working for several hours without rest. When this happens, the eyelids become weaker, beginning to tremble for no apparent reason.
What to do to stop : it is recommended to sleep at least 7 hours each night, creating a calm and relaxing environment to allow a more restful sleep. If you are having trouble getting to sleep, here are some natural strategies for faster and better sleep.
3. Lack of vitamins or dehydration
Lack of some essential vitamins, such as vitamin B12, or minerals such as potassium or magnesium can cause involuntary muscle spasms, including the eyelids. In addition, poor water intake can also lead to dehydration, which weakens the muscles and can cause the tremors.
It is also worth remembering that people over 65 or following a vegetarian diet are more likely to lack some essential vitamin and may present more tremors.
What to do to stop : Increase your intake of foods with vitamin B such as fish, meat, eggs or dairy products, as well as try to drink at least 1.5 liters of water per day. Check out other symptoms that may help confirm the lack of vitamin B.
4. Vision problems
Vision problems seem quite harmless, but can cause various problems in the body such as headaches, excessive tiredness and tremors in the eye. This is because, the eyes work in excess to try to focus on what you are looking at, getting more tired than usual. Here's how to evaluate your vision at home.
What to do to stop : in case you are having difficulty reading some letters or seeing in the distance, for example, it is advised to go to your ophthalmologist to see if there is any problem that needs to be addressed. People using glasses should go to the ophthalmologist if it has been more than 1 year since the last appointment, as it may be necessary to adjust the degree.
5. Dry Eye
After age 50, dry eye is a very common problem that can lead to the onset of involuntary tremors occurring in an attempt to help moisturize the eye. However, there are also other factors that can contribute to this problem beyond age, such as spending many hours in front of the computer, wearing contact lenses or taking antihistamines, for example.
What to do stop stopping : It is advised to use a moisturizing eye drops throughout the day to try to keep the eye well hydrated. In addition, it is important to rest your eyes after 1 or 2 hours in front of the computer, and avoid wearing contact lenses for more than 8 hours in a row. See which moisturizing eyedrops you can use to treat dry eye.
6. Coffee or alcohol consumption
Drinking more than 6 cups of coffee a day, or more than 2 glasses of wine, for example, may increase the chances of having shivering in the eyelids because the body becomes more alert and dehydrated.
What to do to stop : try to reduce alcohol and coffee consumption gradually and increase water intake. See other techniques you can use to change coffee and have energy.
7. Allergies
People suffering from allergies can have various eye-related symptoms such as redness, itching or excessive tearing, for example. However, by scratching the eyes, a substance, known as histamine, which is produced in allergy situations, can reach the eyelids, causing the shaking.
What to do to stop : It is advisable to treat with antihistamines recommended by the general practitioner or allergist, as well as avoid, whenever possible, contact with the substance to which you are allergic.
When to go to the doctor
In most cases, the tremendous eyes are not sign of serious problems and disappear in a few days. However, it is advisable to consult an ophthalmologist or general practitioner when:
- Other symptoms appear such as redness of the eye or swelling of the eyelid;
- The eyelid falls more than normal;
- The eyelids close completely during the tremors;
- The tremor lasts more than 1 week;
- The tremor affects other parts of the face.
In these cases, the tremor may be caused by an infection of the eye or problems in the nerves that enervate the face, which must be identified early to facilitate treatment.
