What Causes Your Eyes to Twitch?

Practically everyone has experienced that annoying eye twitch. No matter when it happens, it’s always an embarrassment, but with Murphy’s Law, it usually happens when you would least want it, like in the middle of a Zoom interview, when you’re trying to focus on a detailed task or when you’re meeting someone for the first time. The other person might look at you strangely and then you have to try to laugh it off, roll your eyes and make a joke. But it throws off your confidence and makes you want to run and hide. So what causes an eye twitch, and why, oh why do they always happen at the worst time?

It’s Likely Nothing Serious

First of all, your optometrist in Elkridge, MD wants you to know that there’s likely nothing to worry about. Eye twitches, or spasms, as they’re sometimes referred to, are just a part of life. They aren’t an indication of anything seriously wrong, and no reason to go running off to an emergency room. But still, they are annoying.

Common Causes of Eye Twitches

Eye twitches are a reaction to something, and can be triggered by things like:

• Worry or Anxiety – This is one of the most common reasons, and why eye twitches often happen when you’re nervous, like during a job interview or meeting a new person.
• Fatigue – Eye twitches often happen when you’re overly tired.
• Eye Strain – Too much screen time can trigger an eye twitch.
• Stimulants – Too much coffee or tea can result in an eye twitch.
• Drinking – Alcohol is a depressant, but in excess it can make the eyelids spasm.
• Magnesium Deficiency – Magnesium is an essential nutrient that, when you don’t have enough in the body, can make the eyelids have a spasm attack.

How to Stop an Eye Twitch

You might not be able to instantly stop an eye twitch, but you can work to prevent new attacks by:

Get more magnesium in your diet with bananas, cashews, spinach, avocados and other foods.

• Limit screen time when not necessary.
• Cut back on caffeine and alcohol.
• Incorporate stress-management tools into your life.

Like we said, an eye twitch isn’t problematic unless it becomes a chronic problem. If you’re worried about it, please contact us for an eye exam in Elkridge, MD.