Most people will experience some degree of eye twitching during their life. Eye twitching occurs when your eye or eyelid spasms on its own, and it is not typically a cause for concern. The twitching may happen once, or several times throughout the day. While eye twitches can be annoying and unpredictable, they are not painful. (If you are experiencing painful twitches, we recommend visiting your eye doctor.) If you’re experiencing eye twitches and would like to learn more about what can cause them, keep reading. 

What Causes Eye Twitching?

A variety of factors can cause eye twitches, so it may take a little bit of detective work to figure out what exactly is causing yours. The good news is, most of the things that cause eye twitching are harmless and easily avoided.

Diet
Eye twitching could be a result of certain nutrients, such as B12 and magnesium, lacking from your diet. The best way to get magnesium is from green leafy vegetables, bananas, avocado, and beans. B12 can be found in chicken, milk, eggs, and salmon. 

Caffeine and/or Alcohol
Caffeine or alcohol may be the culprit of your eye twitches. To determine if either is, start by eliminating one from your diet for 2-3 days. If the twitching continues, cut out the other for 2-3 days. If the twitching doesn’t stop, you could try cutting out both for a longer period of time.

Stress
Stress can wreak havoc on your body, but knowing that doesn’t make it any easier to avoid stress. In our fast-paced world, some things you can try incorporating into your life are deep breathing, meditation, and daily walks. Try taking five deep breaths before every meal, taking a five minute walk before dinner, or listening to peaceful music on your way to work. Simple steps can make a huge impact on your stress levels.

Fatigue
Eye twitching may be just one of many signs that you’re not getting enough sleep on a regular basis. Try going to bed earlier and getting quality sleep. One way to improve your sleep is to reduce blue light exposure for at least one hour before bed. 

More Serious Causes of Eye Twitching

If you are experiencing painful eye twitching, frequent twitching that lasts longer than three days, or eye twitches that affect other muscles in your face, schedule an appointment with your eye doctor. While it is uncommon, eye twitching can be a symptom of more serious issues. In these cases, the twitching is typically accompanied by other symptoms, such as pain, redness, headaches, or blurred vision. 

More serious causes of eye twitching include:

  • Bell’s palsy
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Myasthenia gravis
  • Tourette syndrome
  • Dystonia
  • Multiple sclerosis 

If you are experiencing eye twitches that you are concerned about, contact the team at Broberg Eye Care today.