What Does It Mean When Your Left Eye Jumps?

If you need to ask “What Does It Mean When Your Left Eye Jumps?” you’re likely dealing with a frustrating, but harmless, situation.

According to the American Optometric Association, eyelid twitches, spasms, tics, or jumps in either eye are widespread and generally do not cause concern. It’s called myokymia,  “a unilateral and uncontrollable lid twitch or tic that is not caused by disease or pathology.” It happens randomly and can last from a few hours to several weeks.

Old Wives’ Tales About Eye Twitches

Superstitions about what it means when your left eye jumps come from all over the world. Trinidadians believe that when the left eye jumps, it means that a loved one or friend is in trouble or doing something behind your back. To find out who, they say names of everyone they know. When their eye twitches again while they’re going through the list, it reveals the person’s name. 

In India, a left-eye twitch is said to be an indicator of good luck for men and bad luck for women. Africans say if your lower eyelid spasms, you will cry, though if it happens to your upper eyelid, an unexpected visitor will surprise you. Myths in China about eye twitches correspond with the Chinese zodiac.

More recently; people associate eye twitches with laser vision correction. This again, a myth: LASIK, PRK, or SMILE laser vision correction doesn’t cause the eye to twitch or jump.

What Does It Mean When Your Left Eye Jumps? Could It Be Related To Tired Eyes?

Some eye twitching is related to tired eyes. If you need to prop yourself up with caffeine throughout the day because you’re exhausted, make it a priority to get seven to nine hours of sound sleep nightly. If you feel fatigued and struggle against napping under your desk all day, try improving your sleep hygiene before bed. Eye strain from electronic devices can take a toll on your eyes. 

If you are trying to figure out what it means if your left eye jumps, the answer is likely simple. Try turning off your phone, computer, TV, and any bright lights at an earlier hour to give your eyes a break. 

If lack of sleep isn’t the reason, your eyes could be dry from allergies or because they don’t make enough tears. Itchy and dry eyes release histamine, triggering dryness. Artificial tears, available over the counter, can soothe your eyes and encourage tear production.

Pause A Moment

If you can’t eliminate stress, finding ways to lower it could give you the solution to the question,” What does it mean when your left eye jumps?” Start with your breath since it is with you all the time. Try taking some deep breaths sitting at your desk with your gaze relaxed. You also try this while standing up or walking for energy, noticing the ground under your feet. Set aside time for your relaxation as you would plan work or meeting a friend. Meditation is a gentle path to lowering stress, and there are many great apps available for this. 

Vitamin and Electrolyte Deficiencies

There are other things that could be causing your left eye to jump. Both vitamin D and vitamin B12 deficiencies can contribute to uncontrollable muscle spasms in your left eye. If you suspect that you may be deficient in either, we recommend visiting your primary care physician to get the correct tests to rule out vitamin deficiencies. 

Along with vitamin deficiencies, electrolyte imbalances can also cause muscle spasms to occur. Our bodies are complex systems that need to have a constant daily intake of sodium, potassium, calcium, and several other electrolytes for our muscles and nervous systems to work well. If these electrolytes become unbalanced, it may cause your left eye to jump. Getting back into balance may simply be an issue of marginally increasing salt intake and taking a multivitamin with calcium and potassium.

Reach out to your eye doctor if twitching lasts for more than a few days or if it becomes painful. Otherwise, it’s likely a passing annoyance you can fix with simple lifestyle changes.