Many people refer to spasms in the eyelid as eye twitching. These twitches cause small contractions in the muscles inside your lids, and you can feel these spasms even though most onlookers will not notice the movements. Twitching typically resolves within a few days or a week, but if you have twitching that lasts longer, contact your doctor to determine the cause. In some cases, a lack of magnesium may play a role.
Magnesium
Your body requires magnesium to keep your nerves and muscles functioning properly, as well as many other roles throughout your system. If you do not have the necessary amount of magnesium, a deficiency often results. Low magnesium levels may trigger the involuntary spasms in the muscles of your eyelid, appearing as eyelid twitches.
Contact your doctor if you think your eyelid twitching may result from a magnesium deficiency. She will use blood tests to determine your levels and recommend treatment based on her findings. Once your magnesium levels improve you may notice the twitches decrease or disappear.
Causes
In addition to a magnesium deficiency, other factors may cause eyelid twitches. Stress plays a significant role, as well. Lack of sleep, alcohol and caffeine consumption may increase your risk for eye twitching. If you have eye irritation caused by dryness, this could also result in spasms of the lids.
A Beneficial Nutrient
Dry eyes are susceptible to twitching. Omega-3 fatty acids helps relieve the inflammation that occurs with the condition. A deficiency in this nutrient will not cause eyelid twitching, but reducing inflammation can improve eye irritation, as well as associated eyelid twitching.
Considerations
Anytime you suspect that you do not have a good intake of the necessary nutrients, contact your doctor. She may recommend a multivitamin to ensure that you reach your recommended daily allowance for all the vitamins and minerals you require for optimal health. This could also decrease your chance for having nutrition-related eyelid twitching.
References
- MayoClinic.com; Eye Twitching; October 2010
- All About Vision; Eye Twitching and Eyelid Twitches; Burt Dubow, OD; January 2010
- Office of Dietary Supplements; National Institutes of Health; Magnesium; July 2009
- All About Vision; Using Flaxseed Oil and Fish Oil to Relieve Dry Eye; Gary Heiting, OD; March 2010
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Omega-3 Fatty Acid; Steven D. Ehrlich, NMD; June 2009
