Patient's question:
The baby likes to blink, everything else is normal. Last week, the treatment and its effects: The doctor said it was conjunctivitis. Applied eye drops, but it still blinked a bit, but it was better. What kind of assistance is desired: Want to understand what causes the baby to blink...Doctor's answer:
Blinking is a normal physiological activity of the human body. Its main function is to ensure the moistening of the cornea and conjunctiva. There is no specific regulation on the frequency of blinking. Generally, the interval between two blinks is more than a few seconds. If recurrent episodes of rapid, spasmodic blinking occur, it indicates an abnormal condition. In clinical diagnosis, some children often return for follow-up visits due to frequent blinking, and parents inquire about the reason behind their child's frequent "squinting." The main causes are as follows:(1) Inflammation and allergic conditions of the external eye: Primarily seen in conditions such as trachoma, chronic conjunctivitis, and seasonal allergic conjunctivitis, where children experience discomfort in their eyes, leading to excessive blinking.
(2) Entropion: Children with entropion or idiopathic blepharitis may develop a foreign body sensation or stinging pain in their eyes due to eyelashes rubbing against the cornea or bulbar conjunctiva.
(3) Foreign bodies on the conjunctiva and cornea.
(4) Bad habits: After a thorough examination, if no of the above conditions are found in the child, a detailed medical history is taken, and it is discovered that the child is deliberately imitating others, such as mimicking monkeys or finding blinking amusing, considering it a "skill." Over time, this develops into a habit, commonly seen in children in kindergartens and elementary schools, with boys being more affected.
Treatment primarily targets the underlying cause. For trachoma and chronic conjunctivitis, anti-inflammatory eye drops and ointments are applied to the eyes. Frequent use of anti-inflammatory eye drops is initiated, and treatment is maintained for a period after the inflammation is controlled. For entropion, electrolysis can be used to remove the ingrown eyelashes, or forceps can be used to trim them. Children with idiopathic blepharitis should undergo inversion correction surgery. Foreign bodies in the conjunctiva and cornea should be removed promptly and thoroughly. For blinking caused by bad habits, children should be taught to overcome this gradually.