My Son Will Not Stop Blinking!

You should take him to an optomologist and get his eyes tested properly. It sounds like something that should be taken care of before it can to more harm. There are so many different kind of nerve problems that can effect the eyes. This could be a medical problem causing this and an optomologist can find this out. They can find different medical problems through the eyes.

You should probably see a doctor. He may have dry eyes or it may be a nervous habit. If this is a nerological "Tick", there may be some thing they can do about it. It could be a sign of Autism if it is accompanied by other signs. If telling him about it seems to make it worse, it's probably not a behavior he can control. You don't want to make him selfconscous about it.

Have him evaluated by a neurologist ASAP.

It sounds like a nervous habit. When he's blinking more have you asked him how he's feeling, if he's nervous about something or if something is bothering him. Or just asked, hey what's going on, something you and mommy need to talk about?

Call your pediatrician's office. Tell him you would like to bring your son in for the blinking but you do not want this to be emphasized with your son because you think he only blinks more when you ask him about it.

Tell your son it is time for him to go in for a check-up with the doctor. Then let the doctor make an evaluation. Perhaps it is a neurological issue or he has dry eyes. Perhaps it's psychological. You said that he has done this since you can remember so I would tend to lean towards the former options rather than the latter.

Don't worry too much about this until you know you have something to worry about. There are low and high ranges within what doctors think of as "normal" limits. Your son may be at the high range of normal for blinking but that doesn't mean something is drastically wrong. Hope this helps, S.

Has his pediatrician noticed it? If not, call and ask for a visit. (I wouldn't mention it to your son. Just say it's a quick consult and don't let him know what it's about because, like you said, that will change his blinking.)

It could be anything from a tic to an dry eyes to seizure... (that one eye blinks more than the other causes me a little concern.) It's just too soon to tell without more information. I really, really hope it's something small and easily fixed. I think you're smart to be addressing it early! Please keep us updated -- I'll be curious to see how this comes out. And I'll say a prayer for a good outcome!

First and formost have you addressed this with his Pedatrician and and pedatric opthamologist? THat would be my first steps. They will be able to guide you, if it is medical,and how to help if it is a nervous condition.

Good luck

Have you mentioned this to his doctor? There could be any number of things causing the blinking: allergies, damaged sinus cavities, a weak mucus membrane over the eyes, low tear production, poor eye sight, etc.

C., my grandmother had a similar problem and though she was never seen by a doctor for the condition (she was terrified of doctors), I read later about what it could be (can't remember) so I said that to say that I would definitely take him to see a doctor.

Blessings

Our Dr. said that our daughter's blinking was a way for her to 'scratch' the inside of her lids. Said it was allergies. She never was diagnosed with any specific allergy because I would not put her through the tests.
She outgrew it.

ditto...eye doctor....they have really good ones for kids through Scottish Rite....best of luck to you. I know he really couldn't do this on his own.

Hi C.!

First, just relax. Some of the things it could be sound much worse than they are. I asked my hubby (med student) what it could be and he said the most obvious conclusion he would jump to would either be a nervous tick or eye dryness. Since he has been doing this for a while it's probably just dryness. However, the best thing you can do is take him to see an opthalmologist. They can even prescribe prescription drops for him if that is what it ends up to be. Just relax and see what it is. All will be well. Good luck to you!

C.,

I have to agree with the other mom's. I would recommend taking him to a pediatric ophthalmologist first and ruling out an eye issue. Perhaps ask the ophthalmologist for their opinion as to other possibilities and follow those or go to the pediatrician next. If it is an eye issue, the sooner you have it taken care of, the better. We have used Thomas Eye Group's pediatric division for over 5 years and they are wonderful. Dr Lipsky has performed 5 eye surgeries so far on our 6-year-old (he had cataracts at 15 months and has strabismus and amblyopia [lazy eye]).

Sending a hug and a prayer,
E.

Hi C.,
First off don't stress it, which by the way it could be stress related, my oldest daughter grinds her teeth while sleeping if she's had a hard day, or it could be simply that he needs glasses and he is blinking so rapidly because his eyes are trying to adjust and focus. But even if it is something that he is going to have to deal with through out his life don't stess it. It's part of who he is and therefore beautiful.

--- Last minutes thought---- Does he have any problems with watery eyes? I worked with a lady that had to have surgery on her tear ducts because they over produced and she would often blink rapidly.

I would definitely call the pediatrician for advice. I doubt he could do this up on purpose. It may be as simple as needing saline drops for dry eyes, but it could be something more (such as an infection or nervous system issue), so you should really ask a medical professional.

C., I think your child needs to see a neurologist. You know he may have a tick. Like people with tourettes syndrome. Good luck.

Hello C.... My mother told me when i was smaller i had 3 nervous habits. One i stopped one i would start another. My first one was studdering, then constant blinking, and then nail biting. When she took me to the doctor he told her i would outgrow them that it was just a nervous habit. She could never understand why i was a nervous child... Good luck!!!

C., I have to say I smiled when I read this. My son is now 16, but boy we went through that also! We thought there we something seriously wrong with him, but there wasn't. He would go through "twitches" of all kinds. We did bring it to his attention, to get him to notice that he was doing it, and it would stop after a couple of weeks, and then he wouldn't do it again! He did the blinking, then he would do some kind of a grunt, like he was clearing his throat. The doctor said it was normal, not all kids do it, but he was. The doc did say if it continued for a long period of time, to let them know and they could run tests but it didn't last for more than 2 weeks, and then he would move on to something else.
I hope this helps. My son has grown to be a healthy young man, and NORMAL! Good Luck!

Take him to the eye doctor. My son did the same thing and the doctor saidv it was a low moisture level on the surface layer of his eye-ball. It made it feel dry so he blinked all the time. They gave special lubricating drops that really helped. Not saying that is definitley the problem, but just a sugestion. Good luck!
S.

Hi C.,

I agree with all these ladies. Let the doctor check him out. If nothing is "wrong" get back in touch with me. There might be a stimuli in the home that is aggravating the condition.

God Bless!

M.

I am not an expert, but if I were you I would try an eye doctor first I'm not sure where you are from, but I know a great one in Powdersville off of 153 She is great... just let me know if you want her number...
T.

By 8 yrs old this sounds like it may be a nervous tick. Have you noticed it more frequently when he is stressed? It could be something small like trying to understand homework or appologizing for misbehavior or any small thing that he may find difficult to do.

Hey C.,
It sounds like his nerves, or maybe tourettes syndrome: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourette_syndrome ... check out systoms and have him tested. I wish you all well.

This could be a tick. I once was a nanny to two little boys that had ticks. One would scruntch up his face and the other would blink. They didn't even realize they did it. It's not a big deal and many times children grow out of it. But, I would definately see your pediatrician to get to the bottom of it and find out what the cause is.