What Makes A Sick Person's Eyes Roll Back In His Head? - Sharecare

Advertisement Health TopicsEye and Vision What makes a sick person's eyes roll back in his head? Ivan A. Schwab, MD on behalf of American Academy of Ophthalmology's EyeSmart Ophthalmology The eyes of a sick person do not always roll back into the head, but for those that do, there may be several answers. The most likely answer and cause relates to sleep. When we sleep, we have what is known as Bell's phenomenon. First described by Charles Bell in 1823, our eyes deviate upward and outward with forced lid closure, and in many with more passive lid closure with sleep. The rolling of the eyes with some serious illnesses is probably mediated by the same mechanism as the Bell's phenomenon and resembles what happens in most of us while we sleep. As we close our lids, the eyes go up and out, at least to some extent. While we don't know exactly what that mechanism is, there may be involvement of two cranial nerves including the one that moves our facial muscles known as the facial nerve (number seven for those who are interested) and one of the nerves that helps move our eye though eye muscles (the third nerve for those who are interested). So the eyes may be rolling up in the head with a near-sleep state, although there could be other reasons as well. Show More

Continue Learning about Eye and Vision

4 steps to better eye healthAnd caring for them is key to prevent vision loss as you age. If you do nothing else, do this: Put these four fundamental steps into your eye care pla...Read MoreSurprising health benefits of cataract surgeryA cataract is an area on the lens of your eye where you’re no longer able to see clearly because it has become cloudy. More than 20 million adults in ...Read More5 questions about glaucoma, answeredYou may have heard of the eye condition called glaucoma. It's a common cause of blindness—in fact, the second leading cause of blindness in the world....Read More6 contact lens mistakes to avoidWearing contact lenses can increase your risk of dry eye disease. Here's how to keep your eyes healthy while wearing contacts. An estimated 40 millio...Start Slideshow

Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.

Eye and Vision

Learn More

Trending on Sharecare

article

Hidden heart attack symptoms in women

article

What to know before you get a mammogram

article

3 ways to stay fit and reduce your risk of falls

article

Why depression is more common among womenWhat type of doctor does a breast exam?

What type of doctor does a ...

Is it safe to wear a panty liner every day?

It's safe as long as you ch...

slideshow

6 ways to prevent eczema flare-ups this winter

slideshow

7 lifestyle tips for managing atopic dermatitis