Why does my child keep blinking?

Blinking is a normal physiological phenomenon, but when people blink frequently, it is likely caused by external stimulation. Many children are prone to the problem of frequent blinking. Generally, parents must pay attention to this situation, as it may be caused by eye problems. Also, when a child blinks frequently, you should pay attention to observe abnormalities in the eyes. So why does the child blink frequently?

1. Eye inflammation

Eye inflammation can also irritate children and cause them to blink frequently. The most common ones are conjunctivitis, keratitis, etc. caused by infections such as bacteria, viruses, and chlamydia. In addition to causing children to blink more frequently, inflammation can also cause symptoms such as redness and itching of the eyes, increased secretions, and tearing. Viral keratitis often occurs after a cold or fever. The child suddenly starts blinking frequently, and may have symptoms such as red eyes, tearing, and photophobia (fear of light). There may also be no other eye symptoms, but examination under a slit lamp may reveal lesions infiltrating the surface of the black eyeball.

2. Image stimulation

Television image stimulation is caused by the flickering and rapid changes of the television screen, which leads to over-excitement of the child's visual center. This is caused by the frequent contraction of the nerve fibers that control the orbicularis oculi muscle after being stimulated. If this happens, active treatment is required.

Habitual blinking Some children have no eye problems but just like to blink. This is a bad habit. Parents should remind them in time to help their children control themselves and overcome the problem of blinking.

Some children have a history of frequent blinking. Even after the cause has been eliminated through treatment, they still continue to blink frequently, resulting in habitual frequent blinking. Parents should remind their children in time to help them exercise self-control and overcome the habit of frequent blinking.

3. Inverted eyelids

Some children are fat and have thick subcutaneous fat on their eyelids, which causes entropion and trichiasis, or idiopathic entropion and trichiasis. Because the eyelashes touch the cornea or conjunctiva, there is a foreign body in the eye and a stinging sensation, which causes children to squeeze their eyes frequently. Some children are born with inward turning of their eyelids (medically known as blepharoplasty), which causes their eyelashes to fall on the surface of the eyeball, irritating the cornea (the black surface of the eyeball) and causing tearing and frequent blinking.