Caffeine is a stimulant found in many foods and beverages such as coffee, tea, chocolate and many types of cola. If you have a moderate intake of caffeine and lead a healthy lifestyle, The American Medical Association Council on Scientific Affairs determined that caffeine is not likely to affect your health, reports MedlinePlus. Caffeine may not cause eye disease, but you should talk with your doctor about the role of caffeine in increasing symptoms of some eye conditions.
Eye Pressure
Consuming large quantities of caffeine within a short duration of time could raise your eye pressure for up to three hours, explains the Glaucoma Research Foundation. Glaucoma is a condition that results when high intraocular pressures damage the optic nerve at the back of your eye, and if you have a family history or other risk factors for this eye disease, your doctor may recommend that you avoid excessive caffeine intake. If you do not know if the amount of caffeine you consume is too much caffeine, you should talk with your doctor. She can help you determine the limit to the amount of caffeine you should consume each day.
Eyelid Twitching
Caffeine may also cause eyelid twitching. The twitching results from spasms in the muscles that control your eyelids. An eyelid twitch may occur rarely and not cause any discomfort, but some people may experience frequent twitching that lasts for weeks at a time. If you experience periods of twitching, you may try to reduce your caffeine intake to see if the twitching improves. Other possible causes include lack of sleep and stress. Twitching will not damage your eyes, but you should contact your doctor if you notice any other muscle spasms or if the twitch in your eyelid causes your lid to completely close. These events may indicate a more serious condition.
Reduction
If you determine that you should reduce the amount of caffeine you consume, you should work with your doctor to create a reduction plan. Quitting suddenly may result in symptoms such as headaches, tiredness, nausea, vomiting and irritability, explains MedlinePlus. A gradual decrease may help prevent these symptoms.
Considerations
Caffeine will not cause glaucoma or other eye diseases, but may have an impact on these conditions. If you have a risk for glaucoma or any other eye condition, you should talk with your doctor about the possible effects of consuming caffeine. Caffeine may also interact with medications, so if you consume caffeine, talk with your doctor about the possible effects.
