Researchers compared vitamin and mineral levels in people with benign essential blepharospasm (a condition causing involuntary eye twitching) to healthy people without the condition. They found that people with eye twitching had significantly lower folic acid levels than those without the condition. Interestingly, lower folic acid was also connected to more severe and frequent eye twitching. While other vitamins and minerals tested were normal in both groups, this study suggests folic acid may play a role in this eye condition. However, more research is needed to understand why this connection exists and whether taking folic acid supplements could help.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether people with involuntary eye twitching have different levels of vitamins and minerals compared to people without this condition
  • Who participated: 45 people total: 20 with benign essential blepharospasm (13 women, 7 men) and 25 healthy people without the condition (15 women, 10 men)
  • Key finding: People with eye twitching had significantly lower folic acid levels (6.19 vs. 8.95), and those with lower folic acid had worse and more frequent eye twitching symptoms
  • What it means for you: If you have involuntary eye twitching, your folic acid levels may be worth checking. However, this is early research, and we don’t yet know if taking folic acid supplements would actually help reduce symptoms

The Research Details

This was a case-control study, which means researchers compared two groups: people with benign essential blepharospasm (involuntary eye twitching) and healthy people without the condition. They looked back at medical records and test results from their clinic to gather information. Blood samples were tested to measure seven different vitamins and minerals: folic acid, Vitamin B12, Vitamin D, calcium, zinc, phosphorus, and magnesium. The researchers also used a standard rating scale called the Jankovic Rating Scale to measure how severe the eye twitching was and how often it happened.

The study included 20 people with eye twitching and 25 healthy controls. All participants had their blood tested for the same vitamins and minerals, and the results were compared between the two groups. The researchers also looked for connections between vitamin and mineral levels and how bad the eye twitching symptoms were.

This research approach is important because it allows scientists to identify potential differences between people with a condition and those without it. By comparing blood test results, researchers can spot patterns that might explain why some people develop eye twitching. Finding a connection between folic acid and eye twitching could eventually lead to new treatment options.

This is a small study with only 45 participants, which limits how much we can generalize the findings to larger populations. It’s a retrospective study, meaning researchers looked back at existing records rather than following people forward over time. The study was conducted at a single clinic, so the results may not apply to all populations. However, the researchers did use a standardized rating scale to measure symptom severity, which adds credibility to their measurements. The finding about folic acid was statistically significant (p=0.011), meaning it’s unlikely to be due to chance alone.

What the Results Show

The main finding was that people with benign essential blepharospasm had significantly lower folic acid levels compared to healthy controls. The average folic acid level in the eye twitching group was 6.19, while the healthy group averaged 8.95 (p=0.011). This difference was statistically significant, meaning it’s unlikely to have happened by chance.

Additionally, the researchers found a strong negative correlation between folic acid levels and disease severity. This means that people with lower folic acid tended to have more severe eye twitching symptoms. The same pattern held true for how frequently the twitching occurred—lower folic acid was associated with more frequent episodes.

Interestingly, all other vitamins and minerals tested (Vitamin B12, Vitamin D, calcium, zinc, phosphorus, and magnesium) were within normal ranges for both groups, and there were no significant differences between the two groups for these nutrients.

One notable secondary finding was that both groups had below-normal Vitamin D levels. However, since both the eye twitching group and the healthy control group had low Vitamin D, this suggests that low Vitamin D alone may not be the cause of benign essential blepharospasm. All other measured nutrients were normal in both groups, which helps narrow down which specific nutrient might be involved in this condition.

This study adds to a growing body of research exploring the role of micronutrients in neurological conditions. While previous research has suggested that various vitamins and minerals may influence muscle control and nerve function, this appears to be one of the first studies specifically examining folic acid’s role in benign essential blepharospasm. The finding that folic acid may be involved is interesting because folic acid is known to be important for nerve function and cell health throughout the body.

The study has several important limitations. First, it’s quite small with only 45 participants, which means the results may not apply to larger, more diverse populations. Second, it’s a retrospective study looking at past records rather than following people forward over time, which makes it harder to establish cause and effect. Third, the study was conducted at a single clinic, so the participants may not represent all people with this condition. Fourth, the researchers didn’t measure whether participants were taking any supplements or had dietary differences that might affect folic acid levels. Finally, this study shows a connection between low folic acid and eye twitching, but it doesn’t prove that low folic acid causes the condition.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, if you have benign essential blepharospasm, it may be worth asking your doctor to check your folic acid levels. However, this is early-stage research, and we don’t yet have evidence that taking folic acid supplements will reduce symptoms. Do not start taking supplements without talking to your doctor first, as they can advise you on whether this is appropriate for your situation and what dose would be safe.

People with benign essential blepharospasm (involuntary eye twitching) should be most interested in this research. Eye doctors and neurologists treating this condition may also find this information useful. However, people with normal eye function should not assume they need folic acid supplementation based on this study. This research is not yet strong enough to recommend folic acid supplements for the general population.

If folic acid supplementation were to help with eye twitching symptoms, benefits would likely take several weeks to appear, as the body needs time to build up nutrient levels and for the nervous system to respond. However, we don’t yet know if supplementation would actually help, so it’s important to work with your doctor on this.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • If your doctor recommends folic acid supplementation, track your daily folic acid intake (in micrograms) and rate your eye twitching severity on a scale of 0-10 each day to monitor whether symptoms improve over time
  • Work with your healthcare provider to determine if folic acid supplementation is appropriate for you, and if recommended, establish a daily routine to take your supplement at the same time each day (such as with breakfast)
  • Keep a weekly log of eye twitching frequency and severity, noting any changes as you continue supplementation. Share this data with your doctor at follow-up appointments to assess whether the supplement is having any effect on your symptoms

This research is preliminary and should not be used as a basis for self-treatment. If you have benign essential blepharospasm or involuntary eye twitching, please consult with an eye doctor or neurologist before making any changes to your diet or starting any supplements. This study shows a connection between folic acid levels and eye twitching but does not prove that folic acid supplementation will help. Individual results may vary, and your doctor needs to evaluate your specific situation, medical history, and current medications before recommending any treatment approach.