Hi, I have been having this odd pulsing sensation in my head, just for a second or so and my eyes kind of jump at the same time. I've been to the eye dr and he said my eyes are fine. I asked my gp last month about it but he had no suggestions. I am seeing another gp this week and wondered if anyone has any idea what could be causing this so I can mention a few things if this gp gives me the blank look. It doesn't hurt but it's incredibly annoying and rather worrying.

Thanks for any suggestions

I have an active nerve in my right eye that jumps from time to time. I put it down to stress, fatigue, etc. and forget about it and it goes away. We all develop these little quirks as we age. What we have to do is think about it. If no pain, no disfigurement, then why travel around from doctor to doctor making something out of nothing.

Just because there is no pain doesn't mean there is no problem though? I would kind of like to know why I lose control of my own eyes. This was my first post because I am worried about something and to be honest your reply has made me wish I hadn't bothered asking, I'm not making something out of nothing, I have a genuine health concern which I was hoping to get support and helpful advice about.

Can you think back on what you are doing when this happens? I find it helpful to keep a short log in which I take note of what happened (body reactions, pain, etc.), the time of day and my activities when something weird like this occurs, to see how often it happens and if there's a pattern. It gives me status with any doctors I see about it when I can produce a record and concrete evidence that something is going on. Doctors love the concrete. ;)

Well the best advice would have been the two doctors you've already visited that have actually seen you. If the third doctor tells you the same thing... you have three professional licensed doctors that would be in agreement. A second opinion is never a bad idea... but you have that and will be getting a third soon.

I would lean towards believing them in that case. There are a huge number of very minor things that can happen to us... not all indicate something serious. You've taken the correct steps at going to see a doctor.

I took a medication years ago that did that (or at least it sounds the same), except that I also stammered if I was trying to talk at the moment. It lasted no more than 2 seconds each time.
Are you taking ANYthing at all whether prescribed or OTC?

Well the best advice would have been the two doctors you've already visited that have actually seen you. If the third doctor tells you the same thing....you have three professional licensed doctors that would be in agreement. A second opinion is never a bad idea...but you have that and will be getting a third soon.

I would lean towards believing them in that case. There are a huge number of very minor things that can happen to us...not all indicate something serious. You've taken the correct steps at going to see a doctor.


Hi, I've only seen the eye dr and that was before this started, my gp has no idea what it could be and is "thinking on it", that's why I am going back, he told me to leave it a week and come back to him

Can you think back on what you are doing when this happens? I find it helpful to keep a short log in which I take note of what happened (body reactions, pain, etc.), the time of day and my activities when something weird like this occurs, to see how often it happens and if there's a pattern. It gives me status with any doctors I see about it when I can produce a record and concrete evidence that something is going on. Doctors love the concrete. ;)


Hi, it can happen at any time, I can be laid in bed, walking to the shop, reading a book, anything. I have made a note each time it happened and it's gone from 3 or 4 times a day to several times an hour and it's getting "stronger" for want of a better word.

I took a medication years ago that did that (or at least it sounds the same), except that I also stammered if I was trying to talk at the moment. It lasted no more than 2 seconds each time.
Are you taking ANYthing at all whether prescribed or OTC?


I am taking pain medications as I have Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, although my dr thinks it isn't connected to either the meds or my condition and in his words "is leaning towards something neurological"

Hi, I've only seen the eye dr and that was before this started, my gp has no idea what it could be and is "thinking on it", that's why I am going back, he told me to leave it a week and come back to him

No problem with that... sounds like a good plan to me.

Was your "Eye Dr. an Optometrist, or an Ophthalmologist? It matters.

The differences....

An ophthalmologist is a Medical Doctor who has an M.D. degree. That means he or she has gone through four years of medical school and at least one year of post-graduate general medical and surgical training and is a fully trained physician who has then gone on to specialize in treatment of eye diseases by doing at least three years of extra training in ophthalmology. An ophthalmologist is, therefore, fully trained in all aspects of medical and surgical diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases and has as well a complete background in general medicine.

An optometrist has a Doctor of Optometry degree from an optometry school which is usually four years of training in examining the eyes and treating certain types of visual and eye disorders. They do not have any background in general medicine, nor do they have any training in surgical management of eye diseases. They generally have some training in medical treatment, but it varies a great deal.

As a general rule, if you have nothing medically wrong with your eyes and just need glasses or contact lenses or general routine eye check-ups, an optometrist can provide that service. If you have anything actually wrong with your eyes or have a significnat eye or general medical problem, it is better to see an ophthalmologist.

Elliot Werner, M.D. http://en.allexperts.com/q/Ophthalmology-Optometry-979/difference-optomotrist-opthalmologist.htm

No problem with that...sounds like a good plan to me.

Was your "Eye Dr. an Optometrist, or an Opthalmologist? It matters.

The differences....

An ophthalmologist is a Medical Doctor who has an M.D. degree. That means he or she has gone through four years of medical school and at least one year of post-graduate general medical and surgical training and is a fully trained physician who has then gone on to specialize in treatment of eye diseases by doing at least three years of extra training in ophthalmology. An ophthalmologist is, therefore, fully trained in all aspects of medical and surgical diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases and has as well a complete background in general medicine.

An optometrist has a Doctor of Optometry degree from an optometry school which is usually four years of training in examining the eyes and treating certain types of visual and eye disorders. They do not have any background in general medicine, nor do they have any training in surgical management of eye diseases. They generally have some training in medical treatment, but it varies a great deal.

As a general rule, if you have nothing medically wrong with your eyes and just need glasses or contact lenses or general routine eye check-ups, an optometrist can provide that service. If you have anything actually wrong with your eyes or have a significnat eye or general medical problem, it is better to see an ophthalmologist.

Elliot Werner, M.D. Ophthalmology & Optometry: what is the difference between a optomotrist and a opthalmologist, surgical diagnosis, check ups (http://en.allexperts.com/q/Ophthalmology-Optometry-979/difference-optomotrist-opthalmologist.htm)



He's an ophthalmologist I see yearly as EDS can affect the eyes.

Saw the gp with my daughter and while there he noticed my eyes "flitting about" as he put it so I explained my problem and he could feel the pulsing as my eyes moved. He is going to speak to my regular GP ahead of my appointment with him next week to discuss a course of action

He's an opthalmologist I see yearly as EDS can affect the eyes.

Saw the gp with my daughter and while there he noticed my eyes "flitting about" as he put it so I explained my problem and he could feel the pulsing as my eyes moved. He is going to speak to my regular GP ahead of my appointment with him next week to discuss a course of action

Let us know what this other doctor thinks... I know I for one am curious..

I know what you are talking about... because I've had it happen from time to time for a few seconds... maybe a couple times a year at most.