Episodic excessive blinking in children

Purpose: Many children present with excessive blinking. Categorization, associated conditions, and prognosis are controversial. Methods: All children with excessive blinking were reviewed, excluding those with known uveitis, glaucoma, or obvious eyelid abnormalities. Parents were telephoned for follow-up. Results: No ocular pathology was identified in 31 of 34 children with excessive blinking (91%). Parents were able to report a specific cause of blinking in 7 (21%). In 24 of 34 (71%), parents reported complete resolution of excessive blinking. No new ophthalmologic diagnoses were uncovered on follow-up. Conclusions: Episodes of excessive blinking rarely indicate neurologic disorders and frequently resolve spontaneously.