Eye Twitching
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Try one of these related symptoms.
Eye twitching
Left eye twitching
Right eye twitching
Involuntary squeezing of eyes
Eye dystonia
About the Symptom
Eyelid twitching is a repetitive, painles spasm of the eyelid muscles, which the person cannot control. Most cases are related to fatigue, stress, or drinking too much caffeine. Some very rare cases can be due to neurological disorders such as Parkinson disease, Tourette syndrome, as well as certain medications.
When to See a Doctor
Seek professional care if you experience any of the following symptoms
- Numbness / sensory disorder
- Muscle pain (myalgia)
- Abnormal sensation (tingling, prickling)
Possible Causes
Generally, Eye twitching can be related to:
- Tetany
Tetany is a condition involving involuntary muscle contractions and overly stimulated peripheral nerves. It is caused by electrolyte imbalances, most often low blood calcium levels.
- Graves' Disease
A condition involving an overactive thyroid gland. It's a disorder where the immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid gland and causes an overproduction of thyroid hormone. It is more common in women than men. Some symptoms include anxiety, weight loss, tremors, changes in menstrual cycles, increase in bowel movements, fatigue, and palpitations.
- Hypothyroidism
A disorder where thyroid hormone levels in the body are abnormally low. These hormones are necessary for growth, development, and metabolism. Some symptoms include unintended weight gain, constipation, changes in menstrual cycles, dry skin, brittle nails, depression and memory issues. It can be caused by an autoimmune disorder (Hashimoto's) or from prior thyroid surgery and sometimes medications.
- Alzheimer's Disease
- Atrial Fibrillation (AF)
Related Serious Diseases
Sometimes, Eye twitching may be related to these serious diseases:
- Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder where brain activity becomes abnormal, causing seizures of varying durations and severities. It can affect people of any age and may be caused by genetic disorders or brain injuries, such as stroke.
- Hypocalcemia
Doctor's Diagnostic Questions
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom:
- Do you have eyelid twitching or eye squeezing?
- How has the eyelid twitching or repeated squeezing of the eyes changed since it started?
- How long have you had eyelid twitching or repeated squeezing of the eyes?
Reviewed By:
Benjamin Kummer, MD (Neurology)
Dr Kummer is Assistant Professor of Neurology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS), with joint appointment in Digital and Technology Partners (DTP) at the Mount Sinai Health System (MSHS) as Director of Clinical Informatics in Neurology. As a triple-board certified practicing stroke neurologist and informaticist, he has successfully improved clinical operations at the point of care by acting as a central liaison between clinical neurology faculty and DTP teams to implement targeted EHR configuration changes and workflows, as well as providing subject matter expertise on health information technology projects across MSHS. | Dr Kummer also has several years’ experience building and implementing several informatics tools, presenting scientific posters, and generating a body of peer-reviewed work in “clinical neuro-informatics” – i.e., the intersection of clinical neurology, digital health, and informatics – much of which is centered on digital/tele-health, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. He has spearheaded the Clinical Neuro-Informatics Center in the Department of Neurology at ISMMS, a new research institute that seeks to establish the field of clinical neuro-informatics and disseminate knowledge to the neurological community on the effects and benefits of clinical informatics tools at the point of care.
Shohei Harase, MD (Neurology)
Dr. Harase spent his junior and senior high school years in Finland and the U.S. After graduating from the University of Washington (Bachelor of Science, Molecular and Cellular Biology), he worked for Apple Japan Inc. before entering the University of the Ryukyus School of Medicine. He completed his residency at Okinawa Prefectural Chubu Hospital, where he received the Best Resident Award in 2016 and 2017. In 2021, he joined the Department of Cerebrovascular Medicine at the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, specializing in hyperacute stroke.
Content updated on Feb 6, 2025
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
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- Uncontrollable muscle twitching around the eye
- Abnormal contraction of the eyelid muscles
- Abnormal twitch of the eyelid
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FAQs
Q.
Can vitamin or mineral deficiencies cause eye twitching in women?
A.
Yes, deficiencies in certain vitamins and minerals, like magnesium and vitamin B12, can cause eye twitching in women.
References:
Ugurlu A, & Yılmaz H. (2021). Influences of Hypomagnesemia on Optic Nerve and .... Current eye research, 33259256.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33259256/
Gunes IB. (2024). Association Between Eyelid Twitching and Digital Screen .... Cureus, 39282492.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39282492/
de Souza A, & Moloi MW. (2014). Involuntary movements due to vitamin B12 deficiency. Neurological research, 24852503.
Q.
Could frequent eye twitching be a sign of an underlying nerve or vision problem?
A.
Frequent eye twitching can sometimes be linked to nerve or vision issues, but it is often harmless and temporary.
References:
Garcia MD, Mansukhani SA, Chen JJ, & Bhatti MT. (2021). Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension Triggering Hemifacial .... Journal of neuro-ophthalmology : the official journal of the North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society, 32833859.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32833859/
Jafer Chardoub AA, & Patel BC. (2025). Eyelid Myokymia. Unknown Journal, 32809430.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32809430/
Shuey NH. (2022). Ocular myasthenia gravis: a review and practical guide for .... Clinical & experimental optometry, 35157811.
Q.
Does left eye twitching have any connection with lack of sleep or caffeine?
A.
Left eye twitching might be linked to lack of sleep and caffeine, as both can cause fatigue and muscle twitches.
References:
Sathe H, Karia S, Desousa A, & Shah N. (2015). Hypnic jerks possibly induced by escitalopram - PMC. Journal of Neurosciences in Rural Practice, 4481805.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4481805/
Behrens M, Gube M, Chaabene H, Prieske O, Zenon A, Broscheid KC, et al. (2022). Fatigue and Human Performance: An Updated Framework. Sports Medicine (Auckland, N.z.), 9807493.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9807493/
Reid SD, Ramsarran J, Brathwaite R, Lyman S, Baker A, Cornish DC, et al. (2014). Energy drink usage among university students in a Caribbean .... Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health, 7320484.
Q.
How can you stop or reduce left eye twitching naturally?
A.
To reduce eye twitching naturally, consider using frankincense or tonic water, as they might help calm the muscles around the eyes.
References:
Moshirfar M, Somani SN, Shmunes KM, & Ronquillo YC. (2020). Will Tonic Water Stop My Eyelid Twitching? - PubMed Central. Clinical Ophthalmology (Auckland, N.Z.), 7061523.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7061523/
Baker MJ, Harrison AR, & Lee MS. (2023). Possible role of frankincense in the treatment of benign .... American Journal of Ophthalmology Case Reports, 10214279.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10214279/
Radke PM, Mokhtarzadeh A, Lee MS, & Harrison AR. (2017). Medical Cannabis, a Beneficial High in Treatment of .... Neuro-Ophthalmology, 5764009.
Q.
Is left eye twitching in women caused by stress or fatigue?
A.
Left eye twitching in women can be caused by stress or fatigue, but it can also be related to conditions like eyelid myokymia.
References:
Tanveer S, Tahir A, Ahmad O, Bibi K, & Khan S. (2024). Ocular Myasthenia Gravis As Unilateral Ptosis and External .... Cureus, 38633942.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38633942/
Harrison A, Mudhar O, Yoo J, & Rampal M. (2023). Diplopia in a patient presenting with "blurred vision". Journal of medical case reports, 37679826.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37679826/
Jafer Chardoub AA, & Patel BC. (2025). Eyelid Myokymia. Unknown Journal, 32809430.
Q.
What does it mean when your left eye keeps twitching as a woman?
A.
Eye twitching is often harmless and can be due to stress or fatigue. If it continues, it might help to see a doctor to rule out other causes.
References:
Tan EK, & Jankovic J. (1999). Bilateral hemifacial spasm: a report of five cases and .... Movement disorders : official journal of the Movement Disorder Society, 10091632.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10091632/
Banik R, & Miller NR. (2004). Chronic myokymia limited to the eyelid is a benign condition. Journal of neuro-ophthalmology : the official journal of the North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society, 15662242.
Q.
When should you worry about persistent left eye twitching?
A.
Persistent left eye twitching might be concerning if it's accompanied by other symptoms like facial spasms or if it lasts a long time. It's sometimes related to nerve issues or blood vessels pressing on nerves.
References:
Lee SY, & Lai SC. (2017). Clinical and Electrophysiological Analysis of Chronic .... Acta neurologica Taiwanica, 30315563.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30315563/
Kakouri A, Chen Y, & McCulley TJ. (2025). Isolated Hemifacial Spasm as the Presenting Sign of .... Ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgery, 39660646.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39660646/
Sharma PS, Sattur AP, Patil PB, Nandimath KR, Guttal KS, & Burde K. (2018). Hemifacial spasm secondary to vascular loop compression. Oral radiology, 30484026.
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Link to full study:
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.08.29.24312810v1References
Salmon JF. Neuro-ophthalmology. In: Salmon JF, ed. Kanski's Clinical Ophthalmology. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 19.
Thurtell MJ, Rucker JC. Pupillary and eyelid abnormalities. In: Jankovic J, Mazziotta JC, Pomeroy SL, Newman NJ, eds. Bradley and Daroff's Neurology in Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 17.
Cioffi GA, Liebmann JM. Diseases of the visual system. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 395.