What Does Abnormal Flickering Of Eye By A Child Suggest?

Posted on Tue, 15 Sep 2015

Tue, 15 Sep 2015 Answered on

Tue, 6 Oct 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : My 15 month old baby has suddenly started shutting her eyes very tight for a few times in a day. She does this for a second only. I tried noticing patterns but there are not any.

Also I have noticed few times she looks up with her eyebrows stretched upwards, again for 1 second.

Her eyes appear normal and I have not noticed anything odd in recent few months.

Is this something to worry? Should I look out for any other symptoms needed? Please help.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Observe the baby for abnormal movement or flickering of eyes

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Nice to hear you after a long time

I can understand your concern and also appreciate your observation.
As you have mentioned this brief episode of tight closing of eyelid or looking upward with stretching of eyebrows can be just a subjective finding of normal variant.
If these symptoms persists for longer duration say for 30 seconds or more or there is flickering of eye lid and baby gets unresponsive for that period,it may be seizure.

I suggest you to observe the baby and if it is limited to few seconds I won't get overly worried.

Please let me know if you have any more doubts.
Wishing for your baby's good health.
Thanks and regards

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (29 minutes later)

Thank you for your quick reply. I noticed she smiles sometimes while shutting her eyes. I am not sure why.
What can cause seizures? Are there any underlying conditions to be observed?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (12 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Just observe the activity

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back

There are some special characters of seizure.But the way you are describing,to me this appears to be a normal activity.
There can be so many causes of seizure and by naming all those causes I don't want to make you worried.
I request you to observe the baby for abnormal flickering or staring for longer duration.
If possible capture an image or better make a video so that you can attach it or show it to your physician.
No investigation or no specific treatment is needed.
All the best.
I am always there to help you out if you need any.

Regards

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