What should I do if my child frequently blinks?

Under normal circumstances, frequent blinking in children may be caused by eye fatigue, bad habits, refractive errors, dry eye syndrome, conjunctivitis, and other factors. If concerned, it is recommended to seek evaluation under the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider. Specific explanations are as follows:

1. Eye fatigue: Prolonged reading or using electronic devices can lead to eye strain, resulting in frequent blinking. In addition to excessive blinking, symptoms such as dryness, redness, swelling, or blurred vision may also occur. Parents are advised to supervise their children to take regular breaks and look into the distance periodically to reduce eye strain and alleviate symptoms.

2. Bad habits: Children may develop frequent blinking due to imitation of others or habitual behavior. In such cases, the eyes typically show no other signs of discomfort. Parents should patiently guide their children to correct these habits and limit prolonged exposure to electronic devices to reduce visual stimulation.

3. Refractive errors: Conditions such as myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism can cause blurred vision, prompting children to blink frequently in an attempt to adjust focus for clearer sight. This is often accompanied by decreased vision or blurry vision. Vision testing and refraction exams can help determine the need for corrective eyeglasses or contact lenses. In some cases, corneal reshaping therapy or laser surgery may be necessary to correct vision.

4. Dry eye syndrome: Children with dry eye syndrome may experience a dry corneal surface, which stimulates nerve endings and triggers reflexive blinking. Symptoms may include dryness, foreign body sensation, burning, and blurred vision. It is recommended to use medications such as sodium hyaluronate eye drops, fluorometholone eye drops, or erythromycin eye ointment as directed by a physician to relieve symptoms.

5. Conjunctivitis: Infection of the conjunctiva by bacteria, viruses, or other microorganisms can cause inflammation, leading to eye discomfort and increased blinking. Common symptoms include redness, tearing, and increased eye discharge. Treatment may include prescription eye drops such as levofloxacin, tobramycin, or diclofenac sodium eye drops, used under medical supervision.

Parents are advised to limit children's use of electronic devices to prevent worsening of blinking symptoms. Spending more time outdoors with children can help reduce eye strain. Avoid staying up late and ensure children get sufficient sleep.