What could be more distracting than a twitching eye when you’re crouched at the back of the map, waiting to land a legendary headshot through your sniper scope?
We've all experienced that strange eyelid flutter, which can quickly become a real nightmare for a pro gamer. What are the causes? What are the solutions to put an end to this problem?
If you think these spasms are due to the time spent in front of your screen, be aware that it could be linked to a host of other things. Below, we explain in detail how to get rid of this eye glitch in no time.
In this article:
- The different causes of a twitching eye
- Our solutions for eye spasms
The causes… that you need to keep an eye on!
Fasciculation is the term for that brief involuntary muscle contraction that makes your eye jump like Mario in Super Smash Bros Melee. Usually harmless and temporary, this symptom can also be the manifestation of a much more serious problem. But don't panic, most of the causes are generally not serious.
Lack of sleep
The hours spent in front of the screen tire out our pupils. By squinting to stay focused during a battle royale, our eyelid muscle contracts. Over a long period, the eye tires and our eyelid twitches; a sign of muscle exhaustion.
Stress
Stress is the most frequent cause of eye twitching. Indeed, subjected to various tensions during the day, our bodies transmit nerve impulses to all our muscles to discharge the energy flowing through them. We are balls of energy, like Super Saiyans. Therefore, the thin skin of our eyelids feels these impulses more significantly, which is why we feel our eye jumping.
Coffee, alcohol, tea
Stimulating drinks like coffee and alcohol, but also energy drinks, can cause eye twitching. By increasing muscle hyperexcitability and our blood pressure, these magical brews act directly on our eye muscles and their vascular system. As a result, your eyelid goes as haywire as your heart rate.
Magnesium deficiency
Insufficient trace elements have always been the source of many malfunctions in our bodies. According to scientific research, a lack of magnesium can generate eye spasms.
Considered the #1 natural anti-stress agent, magnesium has a huge effect on our muscle state. This is why, in a state of deficiency, the muscles of the eye show signs of weakness and start to twitch.
Eye strain
Eye strain is undoubtedly the most recurrent pathology among gamers. It manifests through several symptoms: dry eyes, burning or stinging eyes, blurred vision, and fasciculations.
It occurs in several scenarios: prolonged time in front of the screen, long exposure to air conditioning, or insufficient light in front of the computer. Eye fatigue increases the risk of spasms in the eye area.
Other causes
In much rarer cases, eye twitching can be associated with certain eye diseases. Among those linked to it are:
- Blepharitis: an inflammation of the eyelid.
- Glaucoma: a disease of the optic nerve that occurs with age.
- Uveitis: an inflammation of part of the center of the eye.
But these are very rare diseases—as rare as a good game server at Blizzard! So you see, there's no reason to worry (too much)!
The solutions: our "anti-eye-twitch" cheat codes!
We won't let you finish this article without giving you a handful of tips and codes to get rid of the unfortunate eye twitches that have been ruining your life for days.
Protective glasses
If you regularly read our posts, you must be well-versed in this topic. Protective glasses are the Holy Grail for any player who wants to protect their pupils.
Be aware that blue light blocking glasses considerably reduce eye strain and all the repercussions linked to it: dry eyes, stinging, red eyes—in addition to preventing potential damage caused by the light spectrum of our screens.
To protect yourself with our glasses, there is only one link to follow: click here!
Foods to prioritize
Who doesn't know this ad by heart: "eat at least five fruits and vegetables a day!"?
Diet is at the root of our mental and physical health. To be strong like an Avenger, you have to provide your body with all the nutrients it needs (and yes, that's the secret!).
For example, to make up for a lack of magnesium, you should prioritize green vegetables, nuts, and whole grains, in addition to drinking certain mineral waters.
Drinking plenty of water, up to 2 liters per day (or 8 normal glasses), is an excellent way to stay in top shape and ensure our body has all the minerals it needs.
A tip: we have a detailed article on nutrition for gamers to (re)read here: foods that strengthen vision.
Dietary supplements (for magnesium)
If you suffer from a significant magnesium deficiency, you can also turn to dietary supplements in the form of ampoules or capsules.
Blue pill? Red pill? It doesn't matter, Neo! What you should know is that you can easily get them at a pharmacy.
Don't hesitate to ask a specialist; they will know how to show you the right path to the Force!
Sport and relaxation
If you think the eyelid twitching is linked to stress, we have several solutions.
First, right now, take a deep breath, close your eyes, and exhale deeply. OK, great, are you still with us? Very good!
Practicing a sporting activity is an excellent way to free yourself from daily stress. Look for an activity you might enjoy if you don't already play sports: ping pong, running, swimming, curling, or pony riding—why not!
Otherwise, we highly recommend practicing relaxation or meditation. It could be yoga or simply breathing exercises to relax and unwind for a few hours during the week.
It's a good technique to regain an infallible peace of mind before blowing up a bunch of zombies in the new Call Of Duty mod!
The ophthalmologist
If, despite our advice, your eyelid twitching doesn't disappear, the best thing is still to go see a pro, a vision sensei, an eye specialist in short. They will be able to look inside your eyeball with machines from the future and understand what isn't going right!
And besides, we can't say it enough, you must regularly consult an ophthalmologist, especially when you spend hours and hours playing the latest FPS games of the moment or watching streamers on Twitch complain about the Cyberpunk game.
Stop these spasms in the blink of an eye!
When your eye twitches, there are as many causes as there are solutions. First of all, don't worry; you're likely just a bit tired.
The best advice we can give you is to rest and equip yourself with a nice pair of protective glasses to soothe your pupils when you spend long hours in front of the screen.
And if your eye continues to glitch like an old Windows, head straight to your doctor; they'll know how to advise you, eyes closed!
