What causes frequent eye twitching?

Eye twitching may be caused by factors such as excessive mental stress, eye strain, keratitis, trichiasis, or facial nerve paralysis. It is recommended to seek timely medical attention, identify the underlying cause, and receive symptomatic treatment under the guidance of a qualified physician. Specific analysis is as follows:

1. Excessive Mental Stress

When an individual experiences significant mental stress, it may lead to involuntary contractions of the orbicularis oculi muscle, resulting in eye twitching. This twitching is usually temporary and does not accompany other severe ocular symptoms. It is advisable to relieve mental stress through relaxation techniques, adjusting sleep schedules, and engaging in moderate physical exercise, which can help alleviate discomfort.

2. Eye Strain

Prolonged use of the eyes, especially when focusing on electronic devices like computers or smartphones, can easily lead to eye fatigue and dryness, triggering eye twitching. It is recommended to take regular breaks—rest the eyes every so often by gazing into the distance or closing them briefly—and maintain appropriate indoor lighting to avoid overstraining the eyes.

3. Keratitis

Keratitis may be associated with factors such as malnutrition or prolonged use of contact lenses. Inflammation from the condition can cause corneal congestion and edema, stimulating ocular nerves and leading to eye twitching. Patients may also experience symptoms such as eye pain and photophobia. It is recommended that patients use medications such as levofloxacin eye drops, acyclovir eye drops, or natamycin eye drops as prescribed by their doctor.

4. Trichiasis

Trichiasis refers to abnormally inward-growing eyelashes that touch the eyeball, which may be related to age, genetics, or other factors. This condition can irritate the eye, causing twitching during blinking, and may also lead to tearing and photophobia. It is recommended to seek medical care promptly and consider corrective surgery such as entropion repair.

5. Facial Nerve Paralysis

This condition is commonly caused by viral infections or exposure of the face to cold temperatures. Inflammation may damage the facial nerve, leading to eye twitching, as well as symptoms such as facial numbness and drooping of the mouth corner. Patients are advised to take medications such as prednisone acetate tablets, dexamethasone acetate tablets, or ribavirin tablets under a doctor's supervision to improve symptoms.

In daily life, individuals should avoid rubbing their eyes, maintain good ocular hygiene, and prevent excessive eye use, all of which are beneficial for recovery.