Multiple sclerosis (MS) can cause strange sensations, and it’s not always easy to determine if they’re related to the condition. Some members of MyMSTeam have described feeling an electric shock sensation in their eyes, leading to questions about the cause.

“Does anyone else get this annoying feeling like electric shocks when you move your eyes from side to side? It’s driving me crazy,” said one member. “I call it the electric eyeball,” wrote another.

Another member commented, “I’ve had this going on for years now and can’t really explain it. But when I move my eyes or look at bright lights, I get a shock through my body.”

Here are some reasons you might feel a sudden jolt in your eyes if you have MS.

1. Optic Neuritis

The optic nerve sends messages from the eye to the brain. If this nerve becomes inflamed, the resulting condition is called optic neuritis. About half of people with MS experience optic neuritis at some point, and it’s often one of the first symptoms of MS. However, not everyone with MS gets optic neuritis, and not everyone with optic neuritis has MS.

Optic neuritis usually affects one eye at a time. Symptoms may include pain with eye movement, dim or blurred vision, and a sudden change in color vision (such as the color red looking gray or dull). To diagnose optic neuritis, your doctor may order an MRI scan of the central nervous system (brain, eyes, and spinal cord) to look for demyelinating lesions. These areas of damage develop when the immune system attacks the myelin covering the nerves.

Most people with MS who develop optic neuritis notice symptoms worsening over about two weeks and then improving after about four weeks. Optic neuritis caused by MS usually improves on its own without treatment, but treatment is indicated to speed up recovery and in severe cases. Doctors may recommend a course of corticosteroids (steroids) or a plasma exchange to help in recovery. Getting checked early is important because it can keep symptoms from getting worse and help you recover faster.

Some people may take longer to recover. “The only time I got a really bad jolt was when I got optic neuritis in my right eye,” shared one MyMSTeam member. “I didn’t know what it was, so I tried to ignore it for about a week until it got bad enough to go to the doctor. It took months to go back to near normal.”

2. Photophobia

Light sensitivity, also known as photophobia, can also develop in people with MS. With photophobia, it may feel uncomfortable or even painful to be in bright light. Sometimes light sensitivity is related to migraines, optic neuritis, or uveitis (inflammation of the eye).

Treatment for photophobia depends on what’s causing it. Some medications may help. Protective glasses can block out some of the sun’s rays that cause photophobia. Wearing sunglasses outside and making your rooms darker at home can also help.

One member of MyMSTeam shared, “I use special experimental contacts with dark brown filters for photophobia and a mild prescription for blurred vision. I also wear sunglasses on top of the contacts, and sometimes a baseball cap.”

3. Trigeminal Neuralgia

The trigeminal nerve, the fifth cranial nerve that controls sensation in the face, may cause intense pain if it’s injured or compressed. People with trigeminal neuralgia often describe the sensation as shockwaves or electric shocks that radiate through their face, lasting up to several minutes per episode. MS can cause trigeminal neuralgia if a lesion develops on the trigeminal nerve. MS is more likely to be the cause if trigeminal neuralgia has developed in a younger person, or if it occurs on both sides of the face.

Trigeminal neuralgia is also known by its former name tic douloureux, which is French for “painful tic.” Triggers for the pain may include:

• Brushing teeth
• Eating or drinking
• Putting on makeup
• Smiling
• Washing or touching your face
• Getting a strong gust of wind in your face

Results of a neurological exam and an MRI can help a doctor diagnose trigeminal neuralgia. Medications, injections, and/or surgery may be treatment options.

4. Lhermitte’s Sign

Lhermitte’s sign is another type of nerve pain common in people with MS. Lhermitte’s sign causes a shock-like sensation that shoots down the back of the neck, spine, and into the arms and legs. People with MS may feel Lhermitte’s sign when they bend their chin toward their chest (like when getting a haircut on the back of their neck) or during stress or fatigue.

Lhermitte’s sign usually goes away on its own without treatment. However, there are treatment options for Lhermitte’s:

• Treating the underlying condition (for instance, taking disease-modifying therapies for MS)
• Surgery if it’s caused by compression of the nerves
• Anti-seizure medications such as gabapentin (Neurontin) or carbamazepine

5. Eye Movement Issues

Sometimes, MS can cause lesions in the parts of the brain that control eye movements. These changes can lead to one eye moving more slowly than the other or the eyes not aligning properly. In response, the eye muscles may try to adjust. Your doctor or an orthoptist, a specialist in eye movement and coordination, can assess how smoothly your eyes move by guiding you through specific eye movements and observing your responses.

What To Do About Eye Symptoms

Along with nystagmus (involuntary eye movement) and diplopia (double vision), a jolting sensation when you move your eyes may be part of life with MS. It’s important to report any new symptoms to your neurologist and ophthalmologist, even if they seem minor. Discussing changes to your vision and eye function will help your health care team track signs of MS progression and how effective your MS treatment is for you. Also, your eye symptoms may be caused by something unrelated to MS and may need specific treatment.

One MyMSTeam member wrote, “I went to the eye doctor yesterday for a complete eye exam. I was shocked to find out that my left eye has a damaged optic nerve and a vitreous detachment that may need eye surgery. The MS flare had indeed affected my eyes. I could go blind in that left eye. Amazingly enough, my vision is still good. I still need glasses and MUST wear sunglasses when it’s sunny. The bright lights really hurt.”

Your neurology team may be able to suggest treatment changes or lifestyle approaches to protect your eyes, and improve your quality of life with MS. Consulting with a neuro-ophthalmologist, a specialist in neurological disorders affecting the eyes, can help diagnose vision problems related to MS and your nervous system. In addition, connecting with a support group of people who understand what you’re going through will help you navigate unexpected symptoms and get tips on how to live better with MS.

Talk With Others Who Understand

MyMSTeam is the social network for people with multiple sclerosis and their loved ones. On MyMSTeam, more than 216,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with MS.

Have you experienced a jolt when you move your eyes since getting diagnosed with MS? Did you discuss it with your doctors? Share your experiences in a comment below or post on your Activities page.