Can dry eyes cause twitching​?

Have you ever felt a tiny jump or flutter in your eyelid? It may feel like your eyelid is shaking for a few seconds or even a few minutes. Many people find this annoying and sometimes even a little worrying.

At My Eye Clinic in Gosforth, one of the questions we hear often is:
“Can dry eyes cause twitching?”

The short answer is yes, dry eyes can make your eyelids twitch.
But why does this happen? And what can you do to stop it?
This blog will explain how dry eyes and eye twitching are linked, what signs to look for, and when you should get help.

What is eye twitching?

Eye twitching happens when the small muscles around your eyelid move on their own.
This movement is usually:

• Quick
• Light
• Painless
• Hard to control

Most of the time, eyelid twitching is harmless. It often comes and goes quickly. But if your eyes feel dry, sore, or tired at the same time, the twitching may be a sign of dry eye syndrome.

What are dry eyes?

Dry eyes happen when your eyes don’t make enough tears or when your tears don’t stay on your eyes for long.
Your tears help keep your eyes:

• Moist
• Smooth
• Clear
• Protected from dust and germs

When you don’t have enough tears, your eyes can feel:

• Dry
• Gritty
• Tired
• Watery
• Sore
• Blurry

Dry eyes are very common, and they can make your eyelids work harder, which can lead to twitching.

How can dry eyes cause twitching?

Dry eyes and eyelid twitching are closely linked. Here’s why:

1. Dry eyes make your eyelids work harder

When your eyes feel dry, you may blink more often or squeeze your eyes shut for relief.
Blinking too often can make the eyelid muscles tired.
Tired muscles can twitch.

2. Dryness irritates the surface of the eye

When your eyes are irritated, the nerves around your eyelids can become more sensitive.
This can trigger tiny muscle spasms, which feel like twitching.

3. Dry eyes often happen with stress or fatigue

Being stressed or tired can make your eyes feel dry and twitchy.
Both problems can feed into each other.

4. Dry eyes can trigger inflammation

Inflammation around the eyelids can make the muscles more reactive.
This can cause twitching that comes and goes.

Other common causes of eye twitching

It’s important to remember that eye twitching doesn’t happen only because of dry eyes.
Many things can make your eyelids twitch, including:

• Stress
• Lack of sleep
• Too much caffeine
• Screen time
• Bright light
• Alcohol
• Eye strain
• Allergies

Often, eye twitching is caused by a mix of several things, and dry eyes can make the twitching even stronger.

Signs your twitching may be linked to dry eyes

You may have dry eye–related twitching if:

• Your eyes feel dry, gritty, or sore
• Your twitching gets worse after screen use
• Your eyes water a lot (a sign of dryness)
• Blinking makes your eyes feel uncomfortable
• Your eyes feel better when you use eye drops
• You spend many hours on a computer or phone

If these sound familiar, your twitching may be a sign that your eyes need more moisture and care.

What can you do to help twitching caused by dry eyes?

The good news is that most cases of dry eye–related twitching improve with simple care and the right treatment.

Here are steps that often help:

1. Use lubricating eye drops

Artificial tears help moisten the eyes and calm irritation.
Choose preservative-free drops if you use them often.

2. Take breaks from screens

Follow the 20-20-20 rule:
Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
This helps reduce strain and dryness.

3. Blink more often

Many people forget to blink when using screens.
Try slow, full blinks to help spread tears across your eyes.

4. Warm compresses

A warm cloth on your eyelids helps your tear glands work better.
This improves the oily layer of your tears, which prevents dryness.

5. Drink more water

Your tears need water. Staying hydrated can ease dryness and reduce twitching.

6. Reduce caffeine if possible

Coffee, tea, and energy drinks can make twitching worse.

7. Lower your stress levels

Stress makes twitching and dryness more likely.
Try a few minutes of:

• Deep breathing
• Stretching
• Gentle walking
• Mindful breathing

Even a little can help.

When should you see an eye specialist?

Most eye twitching goes away within a few days.
But if your twitching keeps coming back, especially if your eyes also feel dry, it’s time to see a specialist.

At My Eye Clinic in Gosforth, we offer a full dry eye assessment to understand what’s causing your dryness and twitching.

During the assessment, we check:

• How well your tears work
• The health of the eyelid glands
• The surface of your eyes
• Any signs of inflammation

Once we know the cause, we can create a plan to treat both dryness and twitching.

Common treatments include:

IPL therapy

Light therapy that helps reduce inflammation and improve tear quality.

BlephEx®

A deep-clean of your eyelids to remove bacteria and debris.

Prescription drops

Drops that reduce inflammation and protect the surface of the eye.

Each treatment is chosen based on your test results, so you get the care that suits your eyes best.

Final thoughts

Dry eyes can cause eyelid twitching, and the two often happen together.
When your eyes are dry, irritated, or tired, the muscles in your eyelids can spasm, causing that jumpy feeling.

The good news is that dry eyes and twitching are both treatable.
With the right care, your eyes can feel calm, clear, and comfortable again.

At My Eye Clinic in Gosforth, we’re here to help you understand what’s causing your symptoms and to guide you toward the best treatment.

Take our dry eye suitability self-test today and take the first step toward healthier, happier eyes.