Blinking is a natural activity. When you blink, your eyes automatically clean themselves from particles that may have entered. It also helps keep your eyes moist, preventing dryness. However, in certain situations, some individuals may blink more frequently than usual. What are the causes behind excessive blinking? Read more in this article.

Causes of Frequent Blinking

Blinking is both a voluntary and reflex action. Its primary function is to moisten the eyes and maintain cleanliness.

As you age, the number of blinks per minute increases. Newborns typically blink around two times per minute, while adolescents and adults blink up to 15 times per minute.

There is no exact number that defines when blinking becomes excessive. However, this condition is often triggered by several factors, particularly issues with the eye's surface. In most cases, frequent blinking is not serious and can be treated easily. Nevertheless, it can also be a sign of neurological problems.

Some of the causes of excessive blinking include:

Eye irritation

Eye irritation is one of the main reasons for frequent blinking. Some causes of eye irritation that lead to excessive blinking are:

• Exposure to smoke or foreign particles in the air
• Dry eyes
• Scratches on the eye's surface (corneal abrasions) or other injuries
• Ingrown eyelashes (trichiasis)
• Conjunctivitis (red eyes)
• Inflammation of the iris (iritis)
• Inflammation of the eyelids (blepharitis) 

Eye strain

Frequent blinking can also signal eye fatigue. Eye strain often occurs when your eyes focus on something for an extended period. Bright light, prolonged computer use, and long reading sessions can all contribute to eye strain.

Vision problems

Many common vision problems can be corrected with glasses or contact lenses. Conditions such as nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), presbyopia (age-related vision loss), and strabismus (crossed eyes) can lead to frequent blinking.

Eye movements disorders (ocular dystonia)

Common eye movement disorders include:

• Benign essential blepharospasm: A condition where eyelid muscles contract uncontrollably, leading to constant blinking or twitching.
• Meige syndrome: A combination of blepharospasm with spasms in the mouth and jaw.

Neurological disorders

Certain neurological conditions can result in excessive blinking, such as:

• Wilson’s disease: A disorder caused by copper buildup in the brain, leading to neurological symptoms like frequent blinking, tremors, and facial grimacing.
• Multiple sclerosis: This condition impacts the central nervous system, causing symptoms like frequent blinking, vision issues, balance problems, and difficulty controlling muscles.
• Tourette syndrome: Characterized by involuntary tics, both in movements and vocalizations. When the muscles around the eyes are affected, it can cause frequent blinking.

Treatment depends on the underlying cause. Mild cases of frequent blinking often resolve on their own. However, if neurological disorders like Tourette syndrome or multiple sclerosis are involved, doctors may recommend further tests and treatments tailored to the patient’s condition.

If you notice abnormal blinking patterns, it’s a good idea to consult a doctor. You can also use the consultation feature on the Ai Care app, available on the App Store or Play Store.

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