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What Causes Constant Blinking Of Eyes By A Child?

Posted on Thu, 13 Nov 2014

Question: Hi! My 10 year old son has had eye blinking tics on and off for about 3 years. They come for a few weeks then go away for 3 - 4 months. Mostly the eyes blink every now and then a throat clearing is heard but seldomly. I worry about tourettes, it is not in our family but I don't know what else this could be. One last thing, it sounds like transient tics but on line it says they do not last more that a year. Does that mean a year recurring every day or one and off like his more then a year?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Yogesh D (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Your description fits Tourette's, confirm with Psy

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX

Thank you for posting this question about your son here.

I have gone through your description and I agree with your conclusion about it probably being Tourette's Syndrome.

A much elaborate history would shed more light on the exact nature of the condition and would help in making the right diagnosis.

However, from the details you have provided, it does look more like Tourette's rather than transient tics.

I would like to reassure you that Tourette's seldom requires any treatment. You would only have to educate your child about the condition and will have to reassure him.

The exact cause for the condition is not fully understood, there definitely is a genetic component in a majority of cases, but genetics is not the only identified cause, environmental factors are also identified as causative factors, and psycho-social stresses can precipitate an episode.

I would recommend you to consult a psychiatrist/neurologist and get your son examined to understand the nature of the problem well.

I hope this answers your question, you are most welcome to ask me for any clarifications.

Kind regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar