Can A Newborn's Eyes Often Wander Or Cross Or Even Roll Back In Her Head As She's Falling Asleep?

Posted on Sat, 16 May 2020

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 16 May 2020 Answered on

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 Last reviewed on

Question : I read this online: "a newborn's eyes often wander or cross -- or even roll back in her head as she's falling asleep, leaving only the whites visible." My 3 year old son does this. IS this normal? he had eeg when he was 2, all normal. he had his eyes checked, normal as well.

Answered by Dr. Arun (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
It is normal don't worry

Detailed Answer:
Hi thank you for writing to us.
It is called bells phenomenon.
It is nature's way to protect the sensitive cornea from accidental injury.
Another reason is during REM sleep there could be such roving movements of eyeballs.

If it is seizures there will be some associated stiffness of chest or neck or limb muscles while your child does that roving eye movement. But as EEg was normal, chances of this being seizures is very negligible.
Wishing your child good health.
Regards
Dr XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Arun (6 hours later)

there was one time he did this while sleeping as well. is this bell's phenomenon/rem sleep?

Follow up: Dr. Arun (4 minutes later)

I got this from wikipedia what does this mean?: "Also, traumatic abrasions are generally located in the central or inferior cornea due to Bell's phenomenon." does bell's phenomenon cause abrasions?

Answered by Dr. Arun (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Normal don't worry

Detailed Answer:
Roving can happen in any direction so need not worry.
Yes that is bells phenomenon more present in REM.
The central and lower part of cornea is brushing more against the lower part of eyelid than the upper part.
However these naturally occurring Abrasions are very very minor to be of any visual significance. Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Arun (3 days later)

is it also normal when I scold my son, or say no in a strong speaking voice that he does that upward thing with his eyes sometimes widens his eyes as well? I always try to point my finger in between his eyes to see if he has knowledge of whats going on in his environment and he does. what he do is, when i do this, he shuts his eyes then look at me afterwards.

Answered by Dr. Arun (8 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Normal don't worry

Detailed Answer:
It is a normal thing to happen. No worries. It is just his way of expressing his emotions. Shouldn't be a problem.
Regards l

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D