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eyes moving side to side very rapidly for a split second

My question...

My doctor and 2 opthamologists I see, both tell me they have never heard of my eye symptom I will describe, which just makes me even more concerned about it.

This used to happen only a few times a week, but now happens everyday a few times usually.

If my eyes are focused on 1 word when I read something or if my eyes are focused on the tip of a pen when I am writing, in my field of vision my eyes will do what I am terming "a jitter."  Seems to happen more so when I am writing.

It happens in an instant, but both eyes will very rapidly move from side to side, maybe 5 or 6 times in a row.  Not sure if it is indeed the eyes themselves or just what I see.  Sometimes I will even shake it off after it did it, with my head.  This whole thing lasts maybe a split second.  And no one I have every described this to has ever had it or heard of it either.

So I'm wondering if this is a sign of something coming on... a tumor, more serious eyes problems such as blindness in the future, etc?  I do have chronic dry eye, but flaxseed oil has improved that tremendously, so it barely bothers me anymore.

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Avatar universal
I have been trying to figure this out for years!  This is the first time I ever heard of anyone else with it!  I've had it my whole life.  It was in the last couple of years that I found out that not everyone experiences it.  My opthamologist had never heard of it. I'm 44 now and am noticing it happening more often.  I will see a neurologist in Oct for
something not related; I'll make a note to ask him about this.
Helpful - 1
1 Comments
Let us know what he/she says. See if its a type of nystagmus.
Avatar universal
http://www.eyehealthweb.com/nystagmus/
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1 Comments
Avatar universal
I've had the same thing happening for as long as I can remember also.  I've been diagnosed with a seizure disorder.  I don't feel like its related to that but I have been told it was by my neurologist that it could be. Ive also done research on this where people had no sign of seizures in their medical history at all but are experiencing these same things.   Not only does it happen while Im concentrating on something close as well as far away, it also happens a lot while Im trying to go to sleep.  Its become more and more frequent through the years. To now its happening almost everyday and somedays more often then others and now headaches r starting to accompany them directly as its happening.  Last night while I was trying to fall asleep my eyes started darting back and forth and instantly started getting a headache. Some of mine tend to last a lil longer then a few sec.   Id love to be able to find out what this is!
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
What many are describing in this blog I have just recently started experiencing. I am 39 years old and have a history of diabetes in my family, my father died due to  complications of this disease at the young age of 55. Thankfully, I myself have not developed the disease. I am an artist and it happens mainly when I have been concentrating intensely for a long period of time. In your medical opinion, given my family history could these rapid eye movements be related and what would be the best doctor to see if I wish to have it checked out? Thank you.
Helpful - 1
1 Comments
I would suggest a neuroophthalmologist or a Eye MD specializing in eye muscle problems (strabismus)
233488 tn?1310693103
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
POST IS TOO LONG POST NEW QUESTION
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
This is exactly what happens to me and I have researched it but nothing really seems to relate they usually always say “move slowly” but that’s not my case and what you just said is almost the same as mine but instead of those certain focuses (like the tip of a pen) it randomly happens I can be concentrated or not it’ll just happen.
Helpful - 0
2 Comments
This same thing happens to me. It has been randomly happening since I was a child.  Not very frequently, but usually when I'm focusing on something or reading.
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Avatar universal
This is exactly what happens to me and I have researched it but nothing really seems to relate they usually always say “move slowly” but that’s not my case and what you just said is almost the same as mine but instead of those certain focuses (like the tip of a pen) it randomly happens I can be concentrated or not it’ll just happen.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
This is exactly what happens to me and I have researched it but nothing really seems to relate they usually always say “move slowly” but that’s not my case and what you just said is almost the same as mine but instead of those certain focuses (like the tip of a pen) it randomly happens I can be concentrated or not it’ll just happen.
Helpful - 0
233488 tn?1310693103
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
This discussion is too old and too long to deal with. If you have a similar problem please make a new post.
Helpful - 0
177275 tn?1511755244
This thread is too old and long. Someone has a problem post it as a new post.
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
Has anyone made a new post? If so can you comment the link I’ve been looking for new things about it as I am experiencing the same problems
Avatar universal
Sorry about reviving this old post. I have something kind of similar, and it kind of worries me. Whenever I'm doing anything that requires any focus with any part of my body, my eyes flick to the right side and then back really quick, sometimes it will happen just once, and sometimes they'll flick a few times and I have to forcefully blink and hold my eyes shut for a second to "reset" them. It feels weird, and if you look at a picture or video of it everything but the white of my eye disappears for a second. It comes and goes randomly, but it's a lot worse right now than it ever has in the past. Just curious to know if this is something to worry about. I don't think that it is nystagmus, as my eyes don't shake back and forth, they just flick to the right (sometimes up) and back.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Finally someone else who this happens to! I get it when I'm focusing on something, eg. if I'm reading and focusing on a word, if I'm drawing and focusing on either the nib of the pen, or the actual paper, or if I'm trying to focus on something in the distance
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
Avatar universal
I also have a similar issue and would like to know if anyone has figured out the reason. Thank you, god bless.
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
No additional insights other than those already posted
Avatar universal
No I do not know the answer. But it happens to me also I also have double vision. But the eye jumping thing is crazy. I do have high blood pressure and Fibromyalgia also not miss spelled. I was in a car accident thirty two years ago and got a bad head injury. And then I was hit by a truck while walking at work twelve years ago and was knocked out and then hit the pavement and knocked out again both times was out for only a few seconds. So if anyone helps you with this I would love to know. Good luck to you and God Bless your sweet heart. I can be reached at ***@****
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
Avatar universal
1
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
Avatar universal
I’ve had the same thing for years! What is it?  It happens spontaneosly, normally when reading, and my eye doctor couldn’t trigger it so he wouldn’t comment on it. It started when I was 17 or so, and has been happening pretty frequently, a few times a day at least, 20 years later.
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
Avatar universal
Did anyone ever find out anything? I get this too. I'm 42, no other issues that I'm aware of.
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
Avatar universal
It's likely due to something called Nystagmus. I've been having it for years after a head injury and apparently it's one of the most common affects after head injury. I'm seeing a functional Neurologist that's treating it and it's extremely helpful. I think it can also be be from a medication side effect in some people. It can flare up when tired and trying to focus or looking at certain angles for long periods of time and straining your eyes. Look up Nystagmus or ask a doctor
Helpful - 0
2 Comments
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I thought nystagmus was slower and had a wider swing, as it were.  Is that not true?
Avatar universal
I've had this ever since I can remember. It happens randomly and only lasts for a split second. As far as eye conditions go I've been diagnosed with cataracts and keratoconus since I've been 18 and highly doubt those have anything to do with it. It maybe only happens to me once a day so I'm sure it would get annoying if it happened more frequently than that. Gonna have to ask my doctor about this next time.
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
Avatar universal
I have this happen to me occasionally.  It always startles me, because it will happen out of nowhere, usually when I'm intensely focused on something.  I'm an artist, and when I'm drawing it happens more frequently, so I always figured it was just from staring so long at something.  It's happened to me since I was a kid, so I never worried about it!  I tried to explain it to my mom once, since she's a nurse, and she didn't seem overly concerned about it, either.
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
Be sure you discuss it with your ophthalmologist and if it changes or something new develops you may need special tests.
Avatar universal
I have this happen to me occasionally.  It always startles me, because it will happen out of nowhere, usually when I'm intensely focused on something.  I'm an artist, and when I'm drawing it happens more frequently, so I always figured it was just from staring so long at something.  It's been happening to me since I was a kid, so I never worried about it!  I tried to explain it to my mom once, since she's a nurse, and she didn't seem overly concerned about it, either.
Helpful - 0
2 Comments
DO YOU SEE THE WORLD SHAKING WHEN IT DOES THAT?
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177275 tn?1511755244
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Helpful - 0
177275 tn?1511755244
If something happens for years and years and nothing new develops and it doesn't get worse then its not at all likely serious even if doctors have a problem putting a name on it.
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
Was there any updates?
Avatar universal
This has happened to me three times in the last hour. Usually it happens every so often, both eyes flicker from side to side at the same time for a second. Its been happening for years. I never thought of mentioning it to my eye doctor but havent been there in years either. I do have a "lazy eye" I know that. It is usually when Im trying to focus on something though, but my mouth also twitches when Im focusing (usually reading) on something and that happens more often than my eye flickering. All involuntarily.
Helpful - 0
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177275 tn?1511755244
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