Did you know that on average people blink 15 to 20 times per minute? However, babies and children only blink about two times per minute. While it is natural for you to blink, excessive blinking can be a sign of a serious problem. Excessive blinking is when you blink more than you want to. It may happen all the time or once in a while.
Our highly-experienced eye doctors in Kolkata share with you a few important things that you should know about excessive blinking:
- Causes of excessive blinking: There are many medical conditions that can lead to excessive blinking. Some of these causes are:
- Eye irritation: Dryness, itchiness, pain or grittiness in the eye caused due to eye irritation can lead to excessive blinking. Dry eye syndrome, pink eye, scratches on the eyes, injury and neurological problems are some of the leading causes of excessive blinking. Smoke, pollen, pollution, chemical vapours, foreign objects or dust are some of the eye irritants that can cause your eyes to blink excessively.
- Eye strain: When eyes are tired, they tend to blink more.
- Vision problems: Nearsightedness, farsightedness, presbyopia and strabismus can cause excessive blinking especially without the proper corrective eyewear.
- Serious conditions: Neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis and Tourette’s syndrome are known to cause excessive blinking.
- Diagnosis of excessive blinking: An eye doctor will conduct a physical examination of your eyes for conditions such as strabismus or conjunctivitis. More tests may be recommended if the eye doctor suspects that there is an underlying medical condition behind excessive blinking. A refraction test will also be performed to determine whether eyeglasses are needed or not. A complete eye exam including pupil dilation may be performed to see the overall health of the eyes.
- Treatment: The course of treatment depends on the cause. In some cases, excessive blinking may go away on its own while in other cases, treatment may be needed. In case of eye irritation, the eye doctor will first diagnose the irritants causing the problem and you will be asked to avoid the irritants. Applying warm compresses to the irritated eye can also provide some relief. Over-the-counter eye drops may be prescribed for lubrication or allergies. Those suffering from eye strain may be asked to cut down their screen time and avoid bright lights. In case of a neurological condition, the eye doctor may work along with a neurologist to evaluate the condition and create a treatment plan.
- When to see an eye doctor: When excessive blinking is not going away on its own or it is accompanied by symptoms such as pain, change in vision, watery eyes or redness in the eyes, the condition should always be evaluated and treated by your doctor.
Often excessive eye blinking isn’t serious. However, it could be a sign of corneal abrasions or eye infections. With over 15 branches in West Bengal, Disha Eye Hospitals are among the reputed eye hospitals in the state. We have some of the best eye doctors in Kolkata on board who are committed to offering the best patient care possible.