Question
My 11-year-old child has been blinking more frequently lately. What could be the situation?
Answer
There are two common causes for a child’s frequent blinking. The first is inflammation and irritation, which may be due to bacterial, viral, or chlamydial infections, such as conjunctivitis or keratitis. In addition to increased blinking, symptoms may include red eyes, itching, excessive discharge, and tears. The second possibility is congenital eyelid inversion and ingrown eyelashes. Some children have congenital eyelid inversion, causing the eyelashes to point towards the surface of the eye, which can stimulate the cornea and lead to tears.