On average, a baby’s spontaneous eye blinking (SB) rate is fewer than four blinks per minute, which increases with age. The blink rate reaches a minimum of 14 to 17 times per minute by adolescence and rises to 15 to 30 times in adulthood (1). However, if you notice excessive blinking in children, it may indicate an underlying cause. This post explains some of the common causes of excessive blinking in kids and its complications, treatment, and prevention.
Causes Of Excessive blinking In Children
Blinking is an involuntary and natural reflex that helps lubricate and clean the eyes. Your child may blink more when exposed to light or dust. Sometimes, children may blink excessively as part of a new habit or due to eye strain. However, if your child blinks so often that it disrupts their everyday activities, you need to know the underlying cause. Also, if your child shows any signs of discomfort or pain while blinking, taking them for an eye exam is a good move. Dr. Ranjodh S Boparai, an ophthalmic surgeon from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, says, “Excessive blinking is typically a feature of an underlying etiology, which may be benign or serious. The causes of excessive blinking include eye allergies, dry eyes, corneal foreign body, corneal scratches, ingrown eyelashes, refractive errors (nearsighted or farsighted), strabismus (eye misalignment), amblyopia (lazy eye), environmental changes, stress, anxiety, and habitual tic. Other serious but rare causes of excessive blinking include seizures, Wilson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and Tourette syndrome.” Here are some of the most common causes of excessive blinking in children.
Signs And Symptoms Associated With Excessive Blinking In Children
Some of the common symptoms associated with excessive blinking in children include
Rubbing of the eyes often. Blinking far more than usual. A young child blinking more than 15 times per minute is a warning sign (8). Pink eyes. Difficulty reading. Dramatic vision changes.
Complications Of Excessive Blinking
The following are some of the complications of excessive blinking in children.
Excessive blinking caused by underlying factors such as myopia, strabismus, or hyperopia could affect your child’s progress at school or their ability to play, learn, and carry out everyday activities.
In some rare cases, excessive blinking may indicate neurological ailments, such as BEB (benign essential blepharospasm) and Wilson disease. BEB may possibly lead to an inability to keep the eyes open (9), while Wilson disease may prevent the body from getting rid of excess copper from the body and affect the entire central nervous system (10).
What To Expect During Diagnosis?
The diagnosis may involve a routine eye examination to find out the cause of excessive blinking. Eye infections, eye irritations, and eye strain can be quickly diagnosed via an eye examination.
Expect a physical examination of the eyes and the eyelids.
The doctor may ask the child to identify pictures, read letters, or do some activities to assess your child’s vision.
The doctor may put in some eye drops to dilate the pupils.
The doctor may flash a light in your child’s eyes and see how the eye reacts to it.
To assess eye movement, the doctor might ask the child to follow an object held by the doctor.
A microscope may be used to magnify and examine the eye.
Treatment For Excessive Blinking In Kids
Excessive blinking is usually caused by benign causative factors. The doctor may suggest the following treatments based on the causes. For more serious ailments, the ophthalmologist may recommend further tests before deciding upon a treatment plan. Always consult your doctor for the right prescription before administering any of these treatments.
How To Prevent Excessive Blinking In Children
Follow these simple steps to prevent excessive blinking in your child.
