Why is my eyelid twitching?

Symptoms: One of your eyelids has started to twitch. You’re rushed off your feet at work. You have stressful deadlines and you’re worn out. Sleep doesn’t seem to help.

Your eyelid keeps twitching. Your eye is red, sore and sensitive to light. There’s a pus-like discharge in the corner of your eye when you wake.

Your eyelids twitch every so often. You’re a keen reader and read into the night. Your eyes often feel tired, sore and gritty.

It could be: Stress and fatigue, which cause the tiny muscles in the eyelid to go into periodic spasms.

Conjunctivitis or pink eye caused by a bacterial infection where the inflammation irritates your eyelid and makes it twitch.

Eyelid strain which will cause the eyelid muscles to go into spasm and twitch.

Stop it: Most eyelid spasms go away without treatment in a few days or weeks, but you try drinking less caffeine, getting adequate sleep, use artificial tears to keep your eye’s surfaces well lubricated and ease up at work. Try yoga.

See your local pharmacist for advice on using antibiotic eye drops to cure the infection. Wear an eye patch. If it persists for three days or more, see your doctor.

This is probably not serious, and you need no specific treatment other than curbing your reading habit. Always read in a good light and use eye drops to keep the surface of your eyes moist.