Baby blinks one eye only when looking down

Sade49 · 2023-11-27T12:37:32+00:00

Hi everyone, I'm not sure if this something to be worried about or if it's something my baby will grow out of but he's 14 weeks now and when he looks down (when led down) if I'm changing him for example or in the pram, he blinks but only the right eye blinks? The other stays open. When head on or looking direct in front, it doesn't happen. Has anyone experienced this? NHS/only doesn't provide much help. He isn't in discomfort, never rubs his eye, always happy and content but not sure what it is?

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underneaththeash · 27/11/2023 12:51

That needs referring OP.
The blink action is really important for keeping the front of the eye healthy.
Go to your GP and ask for a referral to paediatric ophthalmology.

There is unlikely to be a solution for it, but they can check that it's an isolated finding and advise if you need to be putting lubricating drops in the eye.

Original poster

Sade49 · 27/11/2023 12:52

@underneaththeash he doesn't seem in discomfort and like I say, only seems to be when looking downwards.

I'm waiting on an apt.

OP posts:

underneaththeash · 27/11/2023 12:59

That's good. Hopefully it's just one of those things.

Original poster

Sade49 · 27/11/2023 13:01

@underneaththeash I hope so! There was something online about tics and outgrowing them when they're 1. But it doesn't sound or look like a tic. Very strange!

OP posts:

Timbergrass · 07/03/2024 01:53

Hi :) did you ever find out what was causing this in your son? Thanks

Original poster

Sade49 · 07/03/2024 21:52

Hey @Timbergrass we were referred to the hospital and they ruled out anything serious and said to monitor it but likely to go when he reaches 2 yrs old (if not sooner) - he was a forceps baby so at first they thought it could've been that but it's not as his muscle movements in his face are fine. Even if forceps do cause any facial muscle issues, it wouldn't be permanent the specialist said :) he still has it but I can't say I've noticed it as much as I did! I found a case similar on social media and I messaged the account, they said their baby's stopped before she was 2 :)

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Timbergrass · 07/03/2024 22:18

Hey @Sade49 . Thanks so much for responding to me. I’m so happy it’s all fine with your son. My daughter does something similar (and has done since birth). I’ve honestly probably driven myself mad trying to work it out! She’s seen a few different doctors who are all completely unconcerned by it, but I’ve never been fully reassured because they haven’t actually known what it was. She definitely has done it less and less as she’s grown, and hardly does it now (12months), but I will notice it occasionally if she’s really tired or a bit unwell. I’m also probably hyper aware of it. Just one of those weird things some kids do I guess?

Original poster

Sade49 · 07/03/2024 22:22

@Timbergrass yes! It's so strange and I couldn't explain it, sometimes it's more when he's tired. I notice it when he's lying down and looking down only, so in the pram/being changed on his mat. He's now almost 7 months. Looking back at his newborn videos I noticed one occasion where he's looking up and does it but I haven't noticed that since. It's like his right eye just doesn't want to close (although it does and can when he blinks/sleeps). What does your daughter's eye do?

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Timbergrass · 07/03/2024 22:32

Really odd. The paediatric ophthalmologist we saw suggested it was possibly just a difference in the innervation of the eyelid on each side, and perhaps one side is weaker.
my daughter occasionally blinks one eye at a time. I always thought that one eye was blinking more, but I’ve come to think that maybe the right side just doesn’t blink as much? I notice hers when she’s looking front on at times though. I feel like it would possibly just be their nervous systems fine tuning.. (regardless, i still obsess over it)

Original poster

Sade49 · 07/03/2024 22:36

@Timbergrass ahh I see. It doesn't bother them so it can't be an issue. I thought the same and thought the one eye was blinking more than the other but then I noticed the other just didn't close. I worried his eye would be dry and all sorts! Like you, I obsess and worry over it too :) sometimes he looks like a little dolly with just one eye blinking bless him! Let's see where we are this time next year and no doubt it will have corrected :)

OP posts:

Timbergrass · 08/03/2024 00:53

I’m sure we’ll forget they ever did it!! Thanks so much for responding too, I feel like I searched every crevice of the internet to try to find someon similar!!

ellis93 · 12/04/2025 16:56

I'm in your situation with my little 3 month old baby. Have you found the cause? I'm obsessed like you.. she winks with her left eye, the other eyelid doesn't seem to close all the way. when she winks with both eyes she manages to close them both. I don't understand anything anymore

ellis93 · 12/04/2025 16:56

Sade49 · 07/03/2024 22:36

@Timbergrass ahh I see. It doesn't bother them so it can't be an issue. I thought the same and thought the one eye was blinking more than the other but then I noticed the other just didn't close. I worried his eye would be dry and all sorts! Like you, I obsess and worry over it too :) sometimes he looks like a little dolly with just one eye blinking bless him! Let's see where we are this time next year and no doubt it will have corrected :)

I'm in your situation with my little 3 month old baby. Have you found the cause? I'm obsessed like you.. she winks with her left eye, the other eyelid doesn't seem to close all the way. when she winks with both eyes she manages to close them both. I don't understand anything anymore