Why Are Your Eyes Twitching And How To Stop Them

If your eyes have ever started twitching after a long day, you're not alone—and while it may sound troubling, it is completely normal. Speaking on BBC Morning Live, Dr Punam Krishan offered advice on what eye twitching might mean and what to do about it. It is an involuntary spasm of the muscles around the eyes,” she said. Furthermore, she added that is is nothing to panic about. It usually tends to go away.

"So what about when you’ve been sitting there, you’ve had a long day, and your eyes are twitching?" she asked. "My husband thinks I’m winking at him—he’s like, ‘aye-aye!’ But actually, it’s just twitchy eyes sadly. Why do they twitch? "she added. According to Dr Punam, lifestyle factors are usually to blame. “Are you getting enough rest, Sara? Have you been drinking alcohol? Too much coffee today? Are you stressed or spending too much time on your devices?” she asked.

She explained that, "All of these things can contribute. Eye strain is very common. So the treatment is to look at these factors—get enough sleep, drink water, cut back on caffeine, manage stress, and take regular screen breaks."

Sometimes, though, there may be another reason. “On occasion, nutritional imbalances like low magnesium can cause muscle twitches,” Dr Punam said. “If you’ve tried everything and it’s still twitching, speak to your GP. We can do blood tests to check for other issues.She also reminded viewers not to overlook regular eye care. “People often don’t visit their optician until there’s a problem,” she said. “But regular check-ups are key to maintaining eye health.”

According to the NHS, eye twitches are usually harmless and often linked to tiredness, caffeine, alcohol, stress, or certain medications. But if a twitch lasts longer than two weeks, spreads to other parts of the body, or is accompanied by weakness or stiffness, it’s best to see a doctor.