Patient's question:
The child is 15 years old, but he always blinks a lot. It's a bit better when he's speaking, but once he's left unattended, he blinks non-stop. At first, we thought it was because his eyes were too dry, so we bought eye drops to use, but it still hasn't helped much. What could be causing a 15-year-old to blink so much? Can it be corrected?Doctor's answer:
Blinking, also known as winking or blinking, is a normal physiological phenomenon of the human body. Its main function is to ensure the moistening of the cornea and conjunctiva. Under normal circumstances, the interval between two blinks is more than a few seconds. If there is episodic rapid blinking, it is an abnormal phenomenon. If children frequently blink or squint, it warrants attention. The main causes are as follows:1. External eye inflammation and allergic conditions: Primarily includes trachoma, chronic conjunctivitis, and seasonal allergic conjunctivitis, where children experience discomfort in their eyes and excessive blinking.
2. Entropion: Some children may have thick subcutaneous fat in their eyelids, leading to entropion and inturned lashes. Alternatively, it may be idiopathic entropion. When eyelashes touch the cornea or bulbar conjunctiva, it causes a foreign body sensation and pain, making children frequently squint.
3. Foreign body: Accidental entry of foreign bodies into the eye, such as on the conjunctiva or cornea, may occur. After rubbing the eyes, children may retain foreign bodies on the bulbar conjunctiva or cornea, or the foreign bodies may scratch the bulbar conjunctiva or cornea, causing blinking or squinting.
4. Watching TV or playing computers: The fast-changing images and flickering of TV and computer games can lead to hyperexcitement in the visual higher center due to prolonged viewing. Since children's visual function is still developing, this hyperexcitement can trigger a reflexive defensive action—excessive blinking.
5. Bad habits: Some children may have no eye abnormalities but develop involuntary habitual blinking, which may worsen over time. Some parents, upon discovering their child's blinking or squinting habit, may scold them, which may increase the child's tension and make the blinking or squinting worse.
When parents notice their child frequently blinking or squinting, they should first ask the child if they feel any discomfort, such as itching or a foreign body sensation. Then, they should consult an ophthalmologist for examination and treatment targeting the cause. If necessary, antibiotic eye drops may be applied, inturned lashes may be removed, and foreign bodies on the cornea or conjunctiva may be cleared. Additionally, watching TV or using computers should be stopped. If the blinking or squinting is due to bad habits, parents should not scold the child excessively but instead educate them to consciously reduce blinking or squinting and gradually overcome the habit.