Lyme Disease and Eye Twitching: Is Your Body Trying to Tell You Something?

Ever experienced a continuous eye twitch, with distraction and discomfort? However, occasional eye twitching is common but when it converts to chronic with other symptoms, then it is showing a signal of underlying issue. Lyme disease is one of the reasons for eye twitching which is caused by tick borne illness by bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi.

Through this blog, you will get the idea of the connection between Lyme disease and eye twitching, also how the infection can affect the nervous system and what this means for overall health.

Let's start exploring the signs, symptoms, and steps to take if we identify that Lyme disease might be the reason behind eye twitch.

What is Eye twitching and its mechanism?

Eye twitching is also called myokymia, which means repetitive spasms of the eyelid muscles impacting the lower eyelid and this spasm are transient and benign but also can be both.

There is no fix cause always but here are some reasons:-

• Anxiety and insomnia
• Alcoholism and caffeine
• Eye strain due to prolonged screen time
• Essential nutritional deficiencies like magnesium

Generally, eye twitching resolves by time without going for medical help but continuous and severe conditions need professional check up.

Mechanism:-

Eye twitching occurs when orbicularis oculi (muscles) around the eyes contract because of overstimulation of the nerves control over these muscles.

Here are some factors that causes this condition:-

• Imbalance of neurotransmitter that helps muscles to contract.
• Stress and lack of sleep makes muscles more exposed to spasms.
• Due to motor neuron hyperexcitability which causes muscle contractions.

Why does Lyme disease cause eye twitching?

• Inflammation is caused due to an attack of bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi on the Central nervous system which results in Lyme disease leading to impact on facial nerves which control eyelid movement.
• And when this nerve gets affected it leads to eye twitching.
• This is one of the reasons for the importance to differentiate Lyme related eye twitching from other cases.
• Situation, if the twitching is continuous and comes with symptoms (brain fog, fatigue, joint or muscle pain) then Lyme disease must be considered.

For this we need to understand the how symptoms are different in other condition:-

Natural remedies and lifestyle changes for Lyme disease eye twitching

Many people search for complementary options for managing Lyme disease symptoms but this is also recommended by the healthcare expert to consult before starting any new medicine to avoid any risk and to ensure efficacy.

These remedies should be used as complementary and not to be replaced by standard antibiotic medicines.

For example -

• Herbal supplements like chinese skullcap and stevia have antibacterial properties against Lyme disease.
• Essential oils such as cinnamon bark and garlic have antimicrobial properties to fight with Lyme disease.

Changes in Lifestyle:-

• Sufficient sleep
• Manage stress
• Daily physical activity
• Adjustment in diet

When to consult for Lyme disease related Eye twitching?

If someone is suffering continuous eye twitching or myokymia that lasts for more than a few weeks then it's a signal of immediate medical assistance.

Here are some points when you should consult:

• In condition when twitching doesn't went off within a week
• When affected area becomes week
• When you feel that your eyelid is completely closed
• When it happens in the other parts of the body
• When eye becomes swollen or red
• Dropping of eyelid

These signs suggest immediate evaluation by a healthcare expert.

As per the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), most individuals with Lyme disease respond well after taking antibiotics and fully recover. But in some people permanent nervous system damage develops who do not receive treatment in the early or right stage of the problem and for those who are in the last stage of Lyme disease.

However, eye twitching is harmless but when it is associated with Lyme disease, it can be a sign of neurological involvement, so timely check up and treatment are important to manage the causes and to avoid further risk and complications.

Conclusion

• While summing up this blog we understand that an occasional eye twitch can be severe as an underlying issue, to indicate Lyme disease.
• Lyme disease is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, which leads to inflammation in the nervous system and affecting facial nerves.
• Identifying the difference of Lyme eye twitching to other reasons like stress, or fatigue is important for immediate diagnosis and treatment to avoid any delay or risk.
• Early detection and proper treatment plans, for example - antibiotics can prevent complications and support recovery journeys for the patient of Lyme disease.

What's next to Explore?

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Reference

1. CDC. 2024. “Clinical Care and Treatment of Neurologic Lyme Disease.” Lyme Disease. May 20, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/lyme/hcp/clinical-care/neurologic-lyme-disease.html
2. Johns. 2022. “Did You Know That Lyme Disease Can Affect Your Eyes? : Johns Hopkins Lyme Disease Research Center.” Johns Hopkins Medicine Lyme Disease Research Center. May 16, 2022. https://www.hopkinslyme.org/lyme-disease-awareness/did-you-know-that-lyme-disease-can-affect-your-eyes.
3. “Lyme Disease Symptoms : Johns Hopkins Lyme Disease Research Center.” 2023. Johns Hopkins Medicine Lyme Disease Research Center. February 8, 2023. https://www.hopkinslyme.org/lyme-disease/lyme-disease-signs-symptoms.
4. “Eye Twitching When to See a Doctor.” n.d. Mayo Clinic. Accessed January 30, 2024. https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/eye-twitching/basics/when-to-see-doctor/sym-20050838.
5. Kugeler, Kiersten J., Amy M. Schwartz, Mark J. Delorey, Paul S. Mead, and Alison F. Hinckley. 2021. “Estimating the Frequency of Lyme Disease Diagnoses, United States, 2010–2018.” Emerging Infectious Diseases 27 (2): 616–19. https://doi.org/10.3201/eid2702.202731.
6. ‌ Cole, Dr Will. 2024. “11 Effective Home Remedies for Lyme Disease.” Dr. Will Cole. October 24, 2024. https://drwillcole.com/natural-treatment-for-lyme-disease/.
7. Mora, Paolo, and Arturo Carta. 2009. “Ocular Manifestations of Lyme Borreliosis in Europe.” International Journal of Medical Sciences, 124–25. https://doi.org/10.7150/ijms.6.124.