Dr. Raymundo Canales de la Fuente graduated from UNAM and did his specialization in Gynecology and Obstetrics from the same university. In addition, he specialized in Perinatal Medicine from INPER and has been associated with Hospital Ánge...more
Vidya did her post-graduation in Biotechnology from Osmania University, Hyderabad. Her interest in scientific research and writing made her pursue a career in writing, in which she now has over five y...more
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Eye twitching during pregnancy can be due to benign reasons and usually resolve without treatment.Twitching of the eye occurs as an unpredictable, repeated muscle contraction due to an involuntary spasm of the eye muscle.These eye spasms may repeat every few seconds, and the condition may last for a few minutes to several days or more(1).
Read on to learn the signs, causes, and remedies for eye twitching during pregnancy.
In This Article
What Are The Signs Of Eye Twitching In Pregnancy?
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The signs of eye twitch or myokymia during gestation are similar to eye twitching symptoms in a non-pregnant state. Here are some common signs of eye twitching(2)(3).
In rare cases, an eyelid twitch may lead to some vision loss if it happens due to an undetected injury(2).
What Causes Eye Twitching During Pregnancy?
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研究表明,眼睛抽搐的病因is not well known. However, most factors that may cause this condition are similar in pregnant and non-pregnant women(1)(4)(5).
Increased stress, often due to pregnancy-related hormonal changes
Fatigue
Vision changes
Nutritional deficiencies
Dryness in the eyes
Excess caffeine consumption
Some women may experience rapid involuntary eye contractions, resulting in the closure of eyelids.This eyelid spasms are a severe form of eye twitching and is known as blepharospasm. It requires prompt medical attention(6).
A past head injury, mental health medications, or a family history of the condition may increase your risk of eye twitching(3).
How To Manage Eye Twitching In Pregnancy?
Eye twitches can be bothersome, especially if they last for long periods. Usually, it should resolve without treatments. You can try these remedies at home to manage pregnancy eye twitching.
Get adequate sleep and rest:研究表明,压力和疲劳crease the risk of eye fluttering and twitching(4). Therefore, sufficient rest andsleep in pregnancyare important to reduce strain to the eyes and the eye muscles.
Reduce caffeine intake: Excess caffeine intake may not be good for the fetal health and may also increase the risk of maternal eye twitching(7)(4).Reducingcaffeine intakecould help avoid eye twitching during pregnancy, and reduces the anemia risk.
Avoid stress: Stress could increase the severity of ocular twitching. Explore ways to reduce stress to relax your mind and body(6). You may consider a regular exercise routine, simple eye exercises, breathing exercises, and meditation(8).
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Practice good eye care:Take good care of your eyes by staying hydrated and reducing screen time to keep pregnancy-related eye twitching at bay. You may consult an ophthalmologist who may prescribe you eye drops for lubrication, known as “artificial tears”(9).
Quick fact
Some people find that their symptoms of eye twitching go away when they are sleeping or focusing on a difficult task. The tasks that may stop eye twitching briefly are singing, talking, or touching a different part of the body(3).
Eye twitching seldom causes any serious problems. Nevertheless, contact your physician or eye doctor if you experience the following symptoms(2)(4).
Eye spasms or twitching that stays for a week or longer
Difficulty opening your eyes
Twitching leads to the closure of one or both eyelids
Twitching develops in other parts of the face
Twitching is accompanied by eye redness, swelling, or discharge
Blurring vision
See abnormal spots
Are There Any Medications For Eye Twitching In Pregnancy?
Medicines for eye twitching during antenatal or prenatal periods will depend on the underlying cause. Before prescribing medicines, the doctor or ophthalmologist will assess the symptoms and other problems, such as eye redness or swelling.
Those with chronic eye twitching may usually have an underlying neurological problem, such as blepharospasm or Parkinson’s disease. Medications to improve nerve function may be suggested based on the severity of the problem. In rare cases, surgery may be needed to cure blepharospasm.
Chronic eye twitching due to muscle spasms could be treated with botulinum toxin (Botox). The substance could be injected into the affected eyelid muscle, helping it relax and alleviating twitching. Botulinum toxin is safe during pregnancy, with no adverse effects reported in fetus and mother(10).
What Are The Other Eye-Related Concerns To Look For In Pregnancy?
Here are some of the pregnancy-related eye symptoms and conditions that may indicate an underlying problem.
Vision changes:怀孕荷尔蒙激增可能改变鲍威r of your existing eyeglasses or lenses. If you feel achange in your vision, discuss with your doctor, who may suggest if you need a new pair of glasses.
Blurry vision:Blurred vision and double vision in pregnancy may signify a serious problem such as preeclampsia. You may also experience spots, flashes, and increased light sensitivity. It is important to recognize these signs and contact your doctor to avoid complications(11).
Migraine:Throbbing migraine headaches are common in pregnancy and are associated with sensitivity to light and sound(12).
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Pigmentary changes:Skin pigmentarychanges in pregnancy often cause pigmentation on the eyelids’ skin. It is not severe and goes away after pregnancy(13).
Dry eyes:Hormonal changes may cause dry eyes in pregnancy, causing irritability and making it difficult to wear contact lenses. Your eye doctor may advise artificial tears or lubricating eye drops to reduce the discomfort(14).
Puffy eyes or eyelids:Puffy eyes or eyelids may cause discomfort and affect vision. Staying hydrated, taking your pregnancy vitamins, and having a diet low in sodium may help reduce water retention and puffiness(11).
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is twitching during pregnancy normal?
Although not a serious condition, eye twitching is common among pregnant women due to pregnancy-related stress, tiredness, etc.
2. Is eye twitching a vitamin deficiency?
Eye twitching can be caused by lacking essential vitamins, such as vitamin B12. Therefore, take all the vitamin-rich foods and supplements, if necessary (15) (16).
3. Does dehydration cause eye twitching?
Dehydration during pregnancycan cause various complications, including the spasms of the eyelids that can cause eye twitching (16).
4. Can low iron cause eye twitching?
Yes. Although not directly, low iron levels can cause eye twitching. Low iron levels in the body cause tiredness (17), which eventually leads to eye twitching.
Eye twitching during pregnancy is mainly caused due to non-concerning reasons and resolves on its own. However, sometimes, along with the twitching of the eyes, if you observe any other symptoms such as blurry vision or discharge from the eyes, or an eye condition that might indicate an underlying problem such as puffy eyelids or dry eyes. In such cases, it is advised that you inform your doctor about it. Taking basic care measures such as getting enough rest and having a balanced diet rich in nutrients and vitamins can help in reducing the risks of complications.
Infographic: Possible Medical Causes For Chronic Eye Twitching
Some women may experience eye twitches for benign reasons when pregnant; however, if the eye twitching seems persistent such that it affects a woman’s vision or routine, there may be an underlying medical reason for it. A few such conditions are discussed in this infographic that may be responsible for chronic eye twitching.
Increased blinking, irritation, dryness, and light sensitivity can be associated with eye twitching in pregnancy.
Eye twitching can be avoided during pregnancy if you take proper care of your eyes, prevent stress and caffeine, and get adequate sleep.
Treatment for eye twitching varies based on the underlying cause, but symptomatic treatment and proper care can help in most cases.
Eye twitching in children may also be due to an unclean eye. Get tips from this video to ensure that the child’s eyes and eyelids stay clear of irritants.
References:
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Dr. Raymundo Canales de la Fuente graduated from UNAM and did his specialization in Gynecology and Obstetrics from the same university. In addition, he specialized in Perinatal Medicine from INPER and has been associated with Hospital Ángeles del Pedregal with experience of more than 25 years. In 2009, he actively collaborated with the Mexican Ministry of Health to develop training...more
Vidya did her post-graduation in Biotechnology from Osmania University, Hyderabad. Her interest in scientific research and writing made her pursue a career in writing, in which she now has over five years of experience. She has done certified biotechnology-related training programs under renowned organizations such as Centre For Cellular & Molecular Biology and Department of Biotechnology. Vidya writes health-based articles...more