Does my son have an eye problem?

Question

My 8 year old son has recently picked up a few habits but the one I have noticed to be the most annoying is blinking excessively.

He just blinks and blinks and often squeezes his eyes shut and I don't see why it is necessary. I asked him why he's doing it (do they hurt? is everything blurry?) etc... but he just blinks at me and shrugs.

He has mild autism, but I doubt this is the cause. Any ideas? Or should I see a doctor?

Answer 1

I would recommend taking him to an optometrist. He may have dry eyes, or he may have an uncorrected vision problem. I have a son with mild autism, too, and I know how osme of these behaviors are mysterious, but I believe in checking them out just in case.

Answer 2

i agree with JudyB. i see autistic kids like this all the time, and most of the time there is nothing wrong with their eyes that causes the excessive blinking. most of the time its just something they do.

that being said, i have seen at least a few cases where the excessive blinking was their response to ocular ALLERGY and topical antihistamine eyedrops helped a lot. so a trip to the optometrist could be helpful.

ps i am the father of a mildly autistic 8 year old as well. although my child does not blink frequently, he does have several other similar "habits" that none of us understand...

Answer 3

Call the doctor who is treating his autism. Repetitive blinking and shutting of the eyes is likely a tic. Tics can be a sign ofTourette's syndrome or obsessive compulsive disorder which are sometimes associated with autism.

Answer 4

It could be just his nerves Hun, a friend of mine used to blink quite a lot and was told it was just nerves and he would grow out of it, my twin son has severe autism and doesn't do anything like it, i would talk to an optician just to be on the safe side x

Answer 5

I think you should bring him to the doctor but don't be alarmed kids usually do this because of there eye problem.

I think he just needs glasses