What causes children to blink frequently?

Many children blink frequently. You can also see many children blinking frequently in the pediatric or ophthalmology wards of the hospital. There are many reasons why children blink frequently, such as children blink unconsciously when they play games, use mobile phones, computers and other electronic products for a long time, or blink frequently due to dry, itchy or uncomfortable eyes; some children blink frequently due to keratitis, trachoma and other reasons. In addition, children with severe picky eating habits, lead poisoning or other neurological diseases may also experience frequent blinking. In this regard, parents should understand the relevant knowledge. For example, a normal person blinks 15-20 times per minute. If you find that your child blinks much higher than this standard, you need to take certain measures. If the situation is serious, you must seek medical attention in time.

1. Inflammatory stimulation: This is the most common cause and may be bacteria. Caused by viruses, chlamydia and other infections, such as conjunctivitis, keratitis, etc. In addition to increased blinking, there are also symptoms such as redness and itching of the eyes, increased secretions, and tearing.

2. Congenital entropion and trichiasis: Some children are born with congenital entropion of eyelids (medically known as eyelids), which causes the eyelashes to fall on the surface of the eyeball, irritating the cornea (the surface of the black eyeball) and causing tears.

3. ADHD in children: refers to the sudden, involuntary contraction and movement of a part of the child's body, such as blinking, frowning, twisting the mouth, shrugging, etc., as well as inattention and hyperactive behavior changes. Some children also make strange noises, or even swear and use bad words. This condition is medically called Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Foul Words Syndrome. The cause of the disease is still unclear, but it may be related to mental factors, such as mental stress and emotional instability.

4. Blinking due to eye fatigue: including visual fatigue such as refractive errors, especially uncorrected hyperopia, myopia, and astigmatism, which cause visual fatigue of the eyes. This is a protective reflex that adjusts the curvature of the eyeball through continuous blinking, allowing for clear vision.

5. Neurogenic blinking: It is caused by the frequent contraction of the nerve fibers that control the orbicularis oculi muscle after being stimulated.

6. Habitual blinking: Some children have a history of frequent blinking due to one of the above-mentioned causes. After treatment and the cause is eliminated, they still retain the habit of frequent blinking. Some children, because they usually don't pay attention, like to imitate other people's blinking, which results in a habit of frequent blinking. Parents can help their children to control themselves by giving timely reminders.