Eyes twitching? It could be more than stress, a Harvard doctor explains |

An irritating eyelid flutter might be more than just stress. Dr Saurabh Sethi, a Harvard-trained gastroenterologist, explains that persistent eye twitching can indicate a need for attention. While often harmless, prolonged twitches or those affecting vision warrant a doctor’s visit. Factors like fatigue, caffeine, screen time, and nutrient deficiencies can contribute.

Have you ever experienced an irritating, tiny flutter in your eyelids? Something that arrives without a warning. One you can’t control. It lingers for some time and then vanishes into thin air. Most people brush off this eyelid twitching as stress or lack of sleep, but it could be more. In a video shared on Instagram, Dr Saurabh Sethi, a leading gastroenterologist trained at Harvard and Stanford, explained that persistent eye twitching could be a subtle way of flagging something that needs your attention.

An eye twitch is an involuntary, abnormal blinking of your eyelid, according to UCLA Health. This abnormal blinking may happen many times in a day. But if the eye twitching is severe, it can affect your vision.“Most people think it is stress, but it could be this instead. Myokaimia is an involuntary, repetitive muscle spasm affecting the lower eyelid,” Dr Sethi explained.

According to the Harvard doctor, this eyelid twitching is harmless in most cases. “It is harmless in most cases, but definitely annoying.”So what leads to eyelid twitching? “Stress, fatigue, caffeine overload, ice strain from hours in front of the screens, nutrient deficiencies, especially low magnesium levels,” the gastroenterologist explained. Stress and fatigue: Chronic stress and inadequate sleep may overstimulate the nerves, leading to muscle spasms.Excessive caffeine intake: Drinking too much coffee, tea, or energy drinks can trigger eyelid twitching.Prolonged screen time: If you spend hours staring at digital screens, it can cause eye strain and dryness. This could also increase the likelihood of eyelid spasms.Nutrient deficiencies: As Dr Sethi explained, low levels of magnesium, in particular, can cause muscle twitching, including in the eyelids.Other triggers include:

When to worry?

Occasional eyelid twitching isn’t something you worry about. So, when should you worry? “If the twitch lasts more than two weeks, if the eyelid fully closes during a spasm, or if other parts of your face start twitching as well. If it lingers on, check in with your doctor,” Dr Sethi said. NHS UK also agrees that twitches are common and very rarely a sign of anything serious. They often go away on their own; however, if a twitch lasts more than 2 weeks, you must see a GP. Note: The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any new medication or treatment, or before changing your diet or supplement regimen.