Excessive Blinking in Children
WHY DO WE BLINK?
We blink to keep our eyes safe and clean. It helps stop our eyes from getting dry and protects them from bright light and tiny things that could hurt them. Blinking spreads tears on our eyes to keep them healthy. Babies blink about 2 times a minute, but grown-ups blink 14-17 times a minute. We might blink more when we feel pain, see bright lights, or talk to people.
Why do some people blink too much?
People might blink too much because of:
- Eye or eyelid problems
- A habit
- Needing glasses
- Having eyes that don't line up right (strabismus)
- Changes in life (what’s going on around them)
- Feeling stressed
It's very rare for too much blinking to mean there's a brain problem.
HOW CAN a doctor check for problems that cause too much blinking?
An eye doctor (ophthalmologist) can help find out why someone blinks too much. They will look closely at the eyes to check for:
- Eyelashes poking the eye
- Tiny scratches on the eyes
- Eye infections
- Things stuck in the eye
- Eye allergies
The ophthalmologist might also check to see if the person needs glasses or if their eyes don't line up right.
HOW IS too much blinking TREATED?
The treatment depends on what's causing the blinking. If there’s an eye problem, the ophthalmologist might give:
- Eye drops
- Eye cream
- Glasses
If nothing is wrong with the eyes, families might just need to watch the blinking for a while or see a brain doctor (neurologist).
WHAT IS A TIC?
A tic is a small body movement that happens on its own. Too much blinking can be a tic. A tic can happen because of stress or being tired. Tics are more common in boys and often start around age 5 years. Most tics go away on their own. If tics keep happening, talking to a doctor can help find ways to treat it or check for other problems.
Updated 08/2024