Switch off that twitch

THERE is nothing worse than a twitching eye.

But what is the cause of it and what can be done to stop it? A twitching eye, or myokymia in medical terms, is rippling muscle contractions in an eyelid. Many things can cause it, such as:

• Stress
• Lack of sleep
• Eye strain
• Caffeine
• Alcohol
• Allergies
• Dry eyes
• Nutritional imbalances

The constant twitch can drive a person crazy, especially when no-one else can notice it, making you feel like you belong in the psych ward for your crazy twitch stories. According to a medical site, a magnesium deficiency is the most common nutritional imbalance leading to eye twitches. Check your levels and stock up on magnesium tablets or focus on eating more magnesium-rich foods like spinach, almonds and oatmeal.