Throbbing Eye

subway_ie

Recently, I've started to have trouble with my left eye. It just starts to throb (like a muscle spasm, not painful or anything, just annoying). There doesn't seem to be any kind of pattern/trigger - basically it happens at random times of the day, when my eyes are open. It's only in my left eye, and feels like its towards the front. Anybody have any experience of this? I'm not expecting expert medical opinions or anything, and I will be going to the doctor if it keeps up after the weekend, just checking to see if it's happened to anybody else on here before.

Imposter

Could be an infection (is the eye quite red) or it might be that your eyesight is getting worse. I used to get a sort of throbbing in the eye when they'd get tired. Turned out I needed glasses. Going to the doctor would be your best bet.

subway_ie

The eye isn't red - but it's not its usual white colour (the right one isn't either) - although I'd think that's more down to the late nights than anything else. My eyesight's never been perfect, but I've never needed glasses before, or had this kind of sensation. I am only 17, so I was hoping to get a few more years out of them before I needed to start wearing glasses...

radiospan

This happens to me occasionally too, not so much of a "throbbing" than a gentle twitch though.

It only lasts a few seconds.

BrianD3

Well I don't know if it's what you mean but I had an involuntary twitch in my left eyelid a few months ago. I had it for several weeks and it was starting to bother me but then it just seemed to disappear. I remember looking up some stuff on the web (try googling it for yourself) about eyelid twitches - apparently they're pretty common and are often caused by stress or poor nutrition.

BrianD3

Sleepy

I get the same thing if I'm not sleeping properly for prolonged periods of time. I think it's just one of the body's ways of telling you to slow down a little...

Mr E

I vaguely remember hearing that twitching means that the eye is dehydrated ... drink a couple of pints of water.

TinCool

I get that the odd time too. Currently have a twitch under my left eye which comes and goes for the past week. Pain in the ass. Nothing a few days away from a PC, drinking less alcohol (I'm sure red bull may be related) and decent sleep won't cure. I wouldn't get too worked up about it, it should go away of it's own accord.

munster rucker

i experienced this a few times before, it's basically down to lack of sleep.
take a few extra hours sleep some night, and it'll go away pretty fast

krattapopov

its just that leaving cert grinding you down, sleepy hit the nail on the head, i get something similar around exam times

BEAT

as someone stated already, it means you are dehydrated. drink more water...happens to me quite often and my cousin who is a nurse let me know that was the reason...she was right

subway_ie

Thanks for all the advice. About ten minutes ago it just started in my right eye too, a bit annoying. I'll try and drink more water (already on about 4 pints a day though, which I always thought was enough), even though or tap water has a lovely slimey consistency and a fresh chlorine fragrance. I just hope it's not still as bad next week during the exams... can be a little distracting.

Penfolds

You can get drops from your chemists called "Natural tears" (available without prescription).
My eyes had got very dry lately which had caused a twitch and my GP recommended this.
Just used these drops twice a day and it was sorted in no time.

hedgetrimmer

Originally posted by plazz2000
This happens to me occasionally too, not so much of a "throbbing" than a gentle twitch though.

It only lasts a few seconds.

Well known symptom of stress, is that

Elessar

This is a very common thing. Everybody gets it at least a few times during their lives. It called something like ocular psytosis, i cant really remember. But it happens during periods of high stress or lack of sleep, or both.

Its nothing a few days rest wont cure.