Excessive Blinking

[TexasFan]

I am curious if any of you have had this problem or are aware of what could be the cause.  About three or four weeks ago I started blinking excessively and uncontrollably.  I blink so much that water builds up in the outside corners of my eyes which gets red and irritated because I am wiping the tears away so often.  It is getting annoying and starting to hurt to blink so much.  My eyes feel strained now.  I wake up in the mornings with my eyes matted shut.  They get matted throughout the day as I continue to blink.  What could be the cause?  It just started.  Last week I was sick with the flu and slept quite a bit for about three days.  During that time I did not blink as much, maybe because I wasn't using them.  I have scheduled an appointment with an eye doctor, but it is a week away.  Anyone have any ideas?  I am hoping it is something that the eye doctor can fix.  Could it be mental?

[TexasFan]

I had a concern it may be stress related.  Is this something that will go away on its own, or should I be doing something to try and help the situation?

[Ray T Oyakawa, MD]

You recent problem may be related to the flu.   The earlier excessive blinking is most likely due to stress.


Dr. O.