Why does my left eye twitch?

A twitch in your left eye is usually eyelid myokymia — a common, involuntary twitch of the eyelid muscle. It often affects just one eye and is usually harmless.

Common triggers include:

• Stress or anxiety
• Fatigue or lack of sleep
• Caffeine or sometimes alcohol
• Eye strain from screens or prolonged focusing
• Dry eyes or mild irritation

What may help:

1. Get enough rest and reduce stress if you can.
2. Cut back on caffeine for a few days.
3. Use lubricating eye drops if your eyes feel dry.
4. Take screen breaks and try the 20-20-20 rule.
5. Use a warm compress over the closed eyelid.

See a doctor if the twitch lasts more than a few weeks, gets worse, closes the eye, spreads to other parts of the face, or comes with redness, swelling, pain, or discharge.