What are the reasons for a child frequently squinting or blinking?

Children frequently squinting or blinking may be caused by foreign bodies in the eye, environmental irritation, refractive errors, allergic conjunctivitis, dry eye syndrome, and other reasons. It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly, identify the underlying cause, and receive appropriate treatment under the guidance of a professional doctor. Specific analysis is as follows:

1. Foreign body in the eye: During outdoor activities, small particles or dust can easily enter a child's eyes, causing discomfort and leading to frequent eye squeezing or blinking. Parents can gently lift the child’s eyelid; if a foreign object is visible, it can be rinsed with clean water or carefully removed using a sterile cotton swab. If the object cannot be safely removed at home, prompt medical attention is advised.

2. Environmental irritation: Insufficient or excessively bright lighting may cause eye discomfort in children, resulting in frequent blinking or squinting. Parents should provide a well-lit, softly illuminated environment for studying and playing, avoiding reading or playing under very strong or dim light.

3. Refractive error: This may result from genetic factors, lack of physical activity, and other causes. Refractive errors often lead to blurred vision, prompting children to blink or squint frequently in an attempt to see more clearly. It is recommended to take the child to a hospital for an eye examination and refraction test, obtain corrective lenses as needed, and consider corneal refractive surgery in severe cases.

4. Allergic conjunctivitis: This may be associated with poor environmental hygiene, changes in weather, and other factors. Inflammation can cause conjunctival redness and swelling, leading to frequent eye rubbing or blinking, along with symptoms such as itching and excessive tearing. Children should follow medical advice and use medications such as sodium cromoglicate eye drops, olopatadine hydrochloride eye drops, or epinastine fumarate eye drops as prescribed.

5. Dry eye syndrome: This may be caused by excessive eye strain, vitamin deficiencies, and other factors. Dry eye syndrome typically reduces tear production, causing dryness and irritation, which leads children to blink or squeeze their eyes to relieve discomfort. Follow medical guidance in using medications such as sodium hyaluronate eye drops, Jinzhen eye drops, or fluorometholone eye drops to alleviate symptoms.

In daily life, it is advisable to maintain appropriate indoor humidity, reduce children's screen time on electronic devices, encourage outdoor activities such as jump rope or badminton, and perform eye relaxation exercises like gazing into the distance or doing eye保健操 (eye exercises), all of which can help relieve the above symptoms.