Excessive blinking in toddler

[fionnthedog]

Hello. DS is 2.7 and has suddenly stared blinking a lot, especially when he's watching TV. I've asked him if his eyes are sore and he says no. It's particularly bad when watching TV in our back room which is very badly lit (a problem we are trying to rectify, but which is taking time).

My DH is short sighted (though not massively) which was picked up as a teenager so I've always been aware that this might be an issue for DS too.

Should I get him an eye test? Will a regular high street optician do a test for a 2.7 year old or do I need to go to the GP? He's not got an obvious squint or lazy eye (which does also run in the family) and no other signs he's finding it hard to see other than the blinking - could it be a habit / tic?

Thoughts or experience greatly welcome xx

Yes Specsavers or Boots etc will do it.
www.nhs.uk/Conditions/eye-tests-for-children/Pages/Introduction.aspx

Ds2 had similar, it was just a tic that can develop around that age and resolved within a week or so once we stopped asking him if there was anything wrong with his eyes!

My ds2 developed something similar when he was about 6.

My friend, who is a SENCO, said 'ignore, ignore'. Which I did for a few days until I forgot and said 'OMG stop BLINKING!'

Anyway, don't do that!

He did stop after a week or so, thankfully.

Get his eyes tested as a fail-safe, but do not draw attention to his blinking as many children develop these temporary tics (also lip licking) and the best way of dealing with it is to ignore it completely.

My DD had glasses from 6 months, so their vision can be tested when they are small.

High street opticians won't test a two year old's eyes. I once took my DD to the GP because I was concerned she had a squint (she was 7ish months old) and the GP told me to take her to Boots/Specsavers. I spoke to both and they looked at me like I was mad because a child needs to know their letters before they can do a standard eye test. So the GP was talking utter bollocks

But I distress. I suspect it's a habit he's got into because I remember DD doing a similar thing aged four. But if you do still have concerns, you'll have to ask your GP for a hospital referral.

*digress

Thanks all. I'll pursue getting an eye test and take it from there...

Hi I realise it is an old post but all gone now ?