diff --git a/headmic.py b/headmic.py
index 950b958..79df6c7 100644
--- a/headmic.py
+++ b/headmic.py
@@ -463,17 +463,28 @@ def doa_track_loop():
         time.sleep(interval)
 
 
+_gaze_push_thread = None
+
 def _push_gaze(x: int, y: int):
-    """Fire-and-forget gaze push to eye service. Uses urllib to avoid httpx connection overhead."""
-    try:
-        import urllib.request
-        data = json.dumps({"x": x, "y": y}).encode()
-        req = urllib.request.Request(
-            f"{EYE_SERVICE_URL}/gaze", data=data,
-            headers={"Content-Type": "application/json"})
-        urllib.request.urlopen(req, timeout=0.3)
-    except Exception:
-        pass
+    """Fire-and-forget gaze push to eye service in a detached thread."""
+    global _gaze_push_thread
+    # Skip if previous push is still in flight
+    if _gaze_push_thread and _gaze_push_thread.is_alive():
+        return
+
+    def _send():
+        try:
+            import urllib.request
+            data = json.dumps({"x": x, "y": y}).encode()
+            req = urllib.request.Request(
+                f"{EYE_SERVICE_URL}/gaze", data=data,
+                headers={"Content-Type": "application/json"})
+            urllib.request.urlopen(req, timeout=0.5)
+        except Exception:
+            pass
+
+    _gaze_push_thread = threading.Thread(target=_send, daemon=True)
+    _gaze_push_thread.start()
 
 
 # ============================================================================