It is common to experience unusual sensations when moving your eyes, a phenomenon many people encounter at some point. This article explores why these sensations might occur, offering insights into their common origins and when they might warrant further attention.
Describing the Sensation
The “weird feeling” upon eye movement can manifest in various ways, often involving a sense of disequilibrium. Some individuals report dizziness or lightheadedness that accompanies eye movements. A feeling of pressure behind the eyes or within the head can also be present.
Disorientation or a brief moment of imbalance is possible. For some, the sensation might involve the room tilting or spinning, a mild form of vertigo.
Momentary blurred vision or difficulty focusing can also occur. Less commonly, some report “brain zaps,” described as electrical or buzzing feelings.
Common Explanations for the Feeling
Many everyday factors can contribute to unusual sensations when moving your eyes. Prolonged engagement with digital screens, reading in dim light, or insufficient sleep can lead to eye strain, also known as computer vision syndrome or digital eye strain. This condition can cause discomfort, blurred vision, and headaches as eye muscles work harder to focus. Reduced blinking during screen use also contributes to dry and irritated eyes.
Dehydration can affect blood pressure and brain function, potentially leading to lightheadedness or dizziness. Quick head movements can temporarily disrupt the inner ear’s vestibular system, which is crucial for balance, leading to disorientation. Certain over-the-counter or prescription medications can also list dizziness or altered sensations as side effects.
Minor illnesses, such as colds, flu, or sinus infections, can cause pressure in the head and around the eyes. Sinus inflammation can lead to a feeling of fullness or discomfort around the eyes, blurred vision, and even double vision. Stress and a lack of adequate sleep can affect overall cognitive function and sensory processing, potentially contributing to these unusual eye-related sensations.
Potential Underlying Conditions
Less common, yet more significant, medical conditions can also be associated with these eye movement sensations. Migraines, for example, can include visual auras or produce symptoms like dizziness and discomfort during the headache phase. Vestibular disorders involve issues with the inner ear’s balance system, leading to symptoms such as vertigo, dizziness, and involuntary eye movements (nystagmus). Conditions like benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) and labyrinthitis can cause a spinning sensation and eye movement abnormalities.
Undiagnosed or changing refractive errors, which indicate a need for new glasses, can cause eye strain and associated discomfort as the eyes overcompensate. Neurological factors, while rare, can also contribute; conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS) or those stemming from concussion recovery can manifest with unusual eye-movement sensations.
For instance, MS can cause optic neuritis, leading to eye pain with movement and blurred vision, or involuntary eye movements. Concussions can disrupt the brain’s control over eye muscles, resulting in fatigue, double vision, or difficulty tracking objects.
Both high and low blood pressure can sometimes cause dizziness or lightheadedness, particularly when moving the eyes or changing body positions. Double vision, or diplopia, where one sees two images of a single object, can occur due to problems with eye alignment, muscles, nerves, or the brain. This can sometimes be more apparent when moving the eyes in specific directions.
When to Consult a Doctor
It is advisable to seek professional medical attention if these sensations become persistent or worsen over time. If the feeling significantly interferes with daily activities, work, or driving, a medical evaluation is recommended.
Immediate medical attention is necessary if the eye movement sensations are accompanied by more severe symptoms. These include severe pain, sudden vision changes, double vision that does not resolve, numbness, weakness, or speech difficulties. A severe headache or loss of consciousness also warrants urgent medical assessment. If these symptoms appear following a head injury or are new in older adults, consulting a healthcare provider is important for a thorough evaluation.