Eye rolling during a seizure: what to know

During a seizure, the eyes may roll upward, stare, blink repeatedly or turn to one side. The person may become unresponsive, stiffen, jerk, lose awareness or feel confused afterwards. Eye movement alone does not prove that a seizure occurred; fainting, sleep-related movements, medication effects and other events can look similar.

Possible triggers or causes include low blood sugar, alcohol withdrawal, fever, head injury, infection or an underlying seizure disorder. A clinician will consider what happened before and after the movement, medicines, alcohol use, illness and any previous episodes. A video made safely from a distance can help if the event happens again.

Stay with the person, clear nearby hazards, cushion the head and loosen tight clothing around the neck. Turn them gently onto their side when possible, and note when the movements start and stop. Do not restrain them, put anything in the mouth, give food or drink, or attempt mouth-to-mouth breathing during the movements.

Afterwards, speak calmly and allow recovery. Check breathing and stay nearby until awareness returns. Arrange medical assessment after a first suspected seizure, an unexplained episode, or a change from the person's usual pattern.

Call emergency services if the seizure lasts longer than usual, repeats without recovery, causes a serious injury, happens in water, affects breathing, occurs during pregnancy, or is a first suspected seizure. Emergency help is also needed with fever and stiff neck, severe confusion, suspected poisoning, very low blood sugar or alcohol withdrawal.

Ask whether the event needs urgent neurological assessment, blood glucose testing or an electroencephalogram. Ask which warning signs require an ambulance, how to manage prescribed rescue medicine, and what activities should wait until the cause is clearer.