Eye jerking, a condition known as nystagmus, is a condition that may occur in one or both eyes. These involuntary eye movements may stem from neurological conditions, inner ear problems, injury or medications. Some people may have a congenital nystagmus, meaning that the condition appears at birth and does not worsen or relate to a medical condition. In some cases, a deficiency in magnesium could play a role in the appearance of these eye movements.
Magnesium
Your body needs magnesium, an important nutrient in the function of your immune system, nerves and muscles. If you have low levels of magnesium, you may experience stomach upset and weakness, as well as other possible symptoms. As a magnesium deficiency progresses, you may have changes in your muscles that result in abnormal, uncontrolled movements. This could have a potential effect on the muscles that control your eye movement, causing a nystagmus.
Recommendations
If your doctor suspects that you have low levels, she will order a blood test that measures the amount of magnesium in your system. The recommended daily allowance of magnesium ranges from 310 to 420 mg for an average adult. Maintaining an intake around this range should eliminate the possibility for a low-magnesium related nystagmus. Your doctor may determine, however, that you require more or less of this nutrient to ensure you do not have eye jerking or other health problems. If your doctor determines you have a deficiency, she will recommend that you take a daily supplement to ensure that you reach the necessary intake to maintain healthy levels of the nutrient.
Other Treatments
Eye jerking that results from a magnesium deficiency will typically improve once you have a healthy level of magnesium in your system. If nystagmus stems from another medical condition or disorder, treatments do not typically resolve the condition. Your doctor may need to treat the underlying condition causing your symptoms, and this could offer some potential benefits.
Some people with chronic eye jerking may notice a decrease in uncontrolled movement when wearing an eye glass correction. In severe cases of nystagmus, the condition may affect vision. A doctor may recommend surgery on the muscles that control eye movement, and thought this may not resolve the eye jerking, the surgery may offer some improvement in vision.
Considerations
Contact your doctor if you notice unusual eye movements or changes in your vision. If you think your condition may result from a deficiency in magnesium, do not begin using a supplement or other form of treatment with first consulting your doctor. Knowing the cause for the condition will allow your doctor to treat your eye jerking appropriately without the risk of unnecessary side effects that may occur if you have an overload of a nutrient in your system.
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