Dr Punam appears on BBC Morning Live to discuss eye health (Image: BBC)
BBC Morning Live’s Dr Punam Krishan has offered some advice to those experiencing eye twitching. The GP, who also graced the stage in 2024 with Gorka Márquez, was quizzed by co-hosts Gethin Jones and Sara Cox on a range of eye health topics.
However, it was Sara’s personal query that caught viewers’ attention. She asked: “So what about when you’ve been sitting there, you’ve had a long day and your eyes are twitching?” Jokingly adding: “Husband thinks I’m winking at him – he’s like, aye-aye!
“But actually it’s just twitchy eyes sadly. Why do they twitch?
“It’s weird, isnt it?” Responding, Dr Krishan explained: “Yeah, it is and yeah, lots of people can go: what’s going on?
“Now it’s an involuntary spasm of the muscles of your eyes. It’s nothing to panic about. It usually tends to go away.”
She then advised that lifestyle factors could be the cause, asking Sara: “Lifestyle factors are the first thing that I would normally question you about. Are you getting enough rest, Sara?
Dr Punam talking to Sara Cox and Gethin Jones on BBC Morning Live on March 6 (Image: BBC)
“Have you been drinking alcohol?” At this, Sara jokingly shook her head to say no. “Have you had too much coffee today?” continued the doctor.
“This kind of thing.” The doctor then highlighted the impact of stress and screen time on eye twitching. “That can actually really affect the twitching,” she said. “Are you stressed, are you worried about something?
“Are you spending too much time on your devices? This a very common cause.
“The eyes strain. So with that in mind, the treatment is to address these factors, you know, try to make sure that you are resting enough, that you are hydrated, that you are cutting down caffeine intake – you’re mindfully watching your stress levels.
“Just regular screenbreaks. All these things can make a difference.
“However, on occasion nutritional imbalances can also cause muscle twitches, so magnesium being a culprit. So if you are finding that you have tried all of this, you’ve addressed everything that I have talked about and it’s still twitching away, then speak to your GP.
“We would usually do blood tests and ascertain whether there’s another problem going on that we can solve.”
Gethin then asked what else we could do to look after our eyes.
Dr Punam said: “Regularly visit your opticians. The number of times I’ve asked my patients, when was the last time you visited your opticians?
“The thing, is we take our eyes for granted until there’s a problem with them. And that’s when we go, let me reverse or let me see what’s wrong.”
What does the NHS say about eye twitching?
According to the NHS website a GP if a twitch lasts more than 2 weeks.”
The NHS acknowledges that most people experience twitches occasionally.
Experts have highlighted that common factors such as guzzling caffeine or alcohol, stress and anxiety, as well as sheer exhaustion can lead to twitching. Certain medications may also play a role – it’s advised to check the side effects listed on your medication’s packaging or leaflet.
The site says: “Twitches can affect any part of the body. Twitches in the eyes or legs are particularly common. You may also have tingling or cramps (spasms) in the same area.”
It’s time to consult your GP if twitches persist longer than two weeks, crop up in multiple areas, or are accompanied by weakness or stiffness. Moreover, seek medical advice if you suspect your medication is the culprit behind the twitches.