Blink
Blinking is how we protect our eyes from fatigue.
A child blinks an average of 3 – 17 times per minute.
Anything beyond this is considered excessive blinking and may indicate eye discomfort or problems.
Blinking too much can be due to a variety of reasons – anything from facial twitching to extreme dryness of the eyes.
For new parents, it can be difficult to identify the health problems that their child may face.
Unlike symptoms such as fever and cough, it is not easily noticeable.
Causes of excessive blinking
Your child may blink excessively for the following reasons:
- Tic - Facial tics can lead to excessive blinking. Tic disorder is a muscular spasm that affects the muscles inside and around the eyes.
- Myopia - A common cause of excessive blinking is myopia. It has been observed that these children experience watery eyes, headaches, blurry vision, and excessive blinking.
- Eye allergies - If your child blinks too much, has watery eyes, or has excessive discharge around the eyes, it could be an allergy.
- Eye fatigue - It is commonly seen in children who spend prolonged periods watching television and using computers and other electronic devices. Reading in low light, spending excessive time on screens, and inadequate sleep can lead to fatigue.
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental disorder that can affect many children but often goes undiagnosed. This psychological condition can also lead to excessive blinking or facial tics.
- Blepharitis - It is a bacterial infection of the eyelid. This is one of the causes of excessive blinking in children.
How can you help your child?
Here are a few ways to help children blink :
There are multiple methods available to treat excessive blinking in children.
Based on the diagnosis, different treatment options may include:
- Moisturizing and anti-inflammatory eye drops
- Glasses
- Psychotherapy
- Antihistamine eye drops
When should you be concerned
Symptoms occur when your child blinks, such as strabismus and lack of recognition for everyday life and things.
When you encounter such a situation, it is important to consult an ophthalmologist immediately.
In the vast majority of cases, this issue can be resolved with simple over-the-counter (topical) eye drops treatment. However, if the condition does not improve, oral medication can be taken as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
If you don't let your child develop the habit of excessive blinking, sooner or later they will overcome the habit.
