eyes moving side to side very rapidly for a split second

[kpuzzlerss]

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.

[JohnHaganMD]

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.

[Tiffne]

Was there any updates?

[JohnHaganMD]

=

[JulzKhoury]

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.

[Tiffne]

DO YOU SEE THE WORLD SHAKING WHEN IT DOES THAT?

[JohnHaganMD]

=

[JulzKhoury]

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.

[JohnHaganMD]

Be sure you discuss it with your ophthalmologist and if it changes or something new develops you may need special tests.

[Nickijw]

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.

[JohnHaganMD]

I would suggest a neuroophthalmologist or a Eye MD specializing in eye muscle problems (strabismus)

[Briemt]

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.

[JohnHaganMD]

=