10 yr old with eye twitching

Posted by kw on May 26, 1999 at 11:16:15
Our 10 yr old son has recently been having trouble with his vision.  He blinks his eyes a lot....and they twitch involuntarily.  His left eye will close about 1/2 way and at the same time, his right eye will look up and off to the right. This lasts about 3 seconds and repeats as much as 6 times a minute.  it is not happening all the time....but often..and more so when he is thinking about it.  This happens without his control....and he cannot stop it from happening.  He has recently seen an opthomologist who thought it might be related to allergies, but I don't think this Dr. really saw what was happening.  I have also wondered about a possible relationship to stress or computer and video games.  When his eyes are moving in this way....he cannot control his focus on whatever he is doing.

Posted by HFHS MD - NI on May 26, 1999 at 12:23:18
KW,
Twitching of eyelids is not uncommon and usually is not a problem.  However, the eye movements you discribe are not normal.  They require further evaluation. It is very difficult to evaluate eye movement disorders without seeing the patient and the actual movement.
You should have your son seen by a pediatric ophthalmologist.
Sincerely,
HFHS MD - NI