What causes children to blink frequently?

Blinking is a normal physiological reaction, but many children have the habit of blinking frequently for various reasons. Generally, some eye diseases can also cause frequent blinking, but many people tend to ignore the symptoms of frequent blinking. There are many reasons why children blink frequently. Some may just be habits and can be adjusted later. In addition, patients also need to consider some disease factors.

1. Congenital entropion or trichiasis

Some children have congenital entropion, which causes their eyelashes to fall on the surface of the eyeball, irritating the cornea and causing blinking and tearing. In this case, frequent blinking can be discovered by parents if they observe carefully. In many cases of entropion, the condition will gradually improve as the child grows older and will heal on its own by around the age of 4. However, in severe cases, surgery may be required for correction.

2. Habitual blinking

It is relatively rare in infants under 3 years old, but relatively more common in older children. The child usually does not show any abnormality, but when an adult or outsider is present, he or she makes faces to attract the attention of the adults, or when there is someone around who blinks frequently, the child imitates him or her, and as a result, he or she gradually develops the habit of blinking frequently. In cases like this, parents should remind their children in time and help them to control themselves.

3. Eye inflammation or foreign body stimulation

Frequent blinking may also be caused by dusty weather, or bad habits such as rubbing eyes with unclean hands, leading to keratitis or conjunctivitis caused by infections such as bacteria, viruses, chlamydia, or foreign objects splashing into the eyes. In addition to increased blinking, there are also symptoms such as redness and itching of the eyes, increased secretions, and tears. Children of older age will complain of eye discomfort or eye pain. At this time, parents should take their children to the hospital to ask a doctor to check, and then use some eye drops or remove foreign objects under the doctor's guidance.

4. Blinking caused by eye fatigue

While electronic products bring convenience to people, they also bring some disadvantages. Some children experience varying degrees of eye discomfort due to excessive use of electronic products such as televisions, computers, mobile phones, and Pads. The main symptoms include dry eyes, itchy eyes, burning foreign body sensation in the eyes, blurred vision, decreased vision, eye swelling and pain, and orbital pain.