China Man Loses Vision After Slapping Twitching Eyelid To ‘Ward Off Bad Luck’
A man in central China's Wuhan suffered a retinal detachment after repeatedly slapping his twitching right eyelid, believing a traditional superstition that it signalled impending misfortune.
A man in central China's Wuhan suffered a retinal detachment after repeatedly slapping his twitching right eyelid, believing a traditional superstition that it signalled impending misfortune.
The incident has sparked discussion online after doctors warned that forcefully hitting the eye can cause serious damage to vision.
Chinese Superstition Prompted Him to Slap His Eyelid
The man, identified only by his surname Le, had experienced persistent twitching in his right eyelid for several days. According to a long-held Chinese belief, "a twitching left eye brings wealth, while a twitching right eye brings disaster." Chinese Firms Implement Quiet Layoffs Amidst Rapid AI Adoption.
Although Le tried resting his eyes and applying warm compresses, the twitching did not stop. Instead of consulting a doctor, he searched online and came across claims suggesting that slapping the eyelid could drive away bad luck.
Some elderly people in China also believe that placing a strip of white paper on a twitching eyelid can stop the spasms.
Slapping Stopped the Twitching But Caused Retinal Detachment
Le reportedly slapped the area around his right eye repeatedly for three days. While the twitching eventually subsided, he soon noticed a far more serious problem. Chinese Billionaire Guo Wengui Sentenced to 30 Years in US Prison for Massive Fraud Scheme.
His peripheral vision disappeared almost completely, leaving him able to see only what was directly in front of him.
He sought medical treatment and doctors diagnosed him with retinal detachment, a serious condition that can lead to permanent vision loss if left untreated. Fortunately, surgery successfully restored his eyesight.
Doctors Explain Why Slapping the Eye Is Dangerous
Doctors said the human retina is extremely delicate, measuring less than 0.3 mm thick on average. Repeated forceful impacts around the eye can transmit shock through the eyeball, increasing the risk of retinal tears and retinal detachment.
Medical experts stressed that most cases of eyelid twitching are harmless and are commonly caused by:
- Eye strain
- Lack of sleep
- Stress
- Fatigue
These symptoms usually improve with adequate rest and reduced screen time.
However, doctors advised seeking medical attention if eyelid twitching:
- Persists for more than a week
- Spreads to other parts of the face
- Affects the cheeks or corners of the mouth
- Is accompanied by vision changes or pain
Similar Superstition-Linked Cases Reported in China
This is not the first case in which superstition has delayed or influenced medical decisions.
In China's Hunan province, a woman reportedly ignored persistent twitching in her left eyelid for three years because she believed it symbolised good fortune. The condition later progressed into facial spasms affecting one side of her face.
In another widely reported incident in Taiwan, a woman bought a scratch lottery ticket after her left eyelid began twitching, believing it was a lucky sign. She reportedly won NT$1 million.
Doctors continue to emphasise that while cultural beliefs are common, persistent eye symptoms should always be evaluated by a medical professional rather than treated based on superstition.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 04, 2026 09:12 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
