High Incidence in Asian Babies: Don't Ignore Frequent Eye Rubbing — It Could Be a Disease Signal

Frequent eye rubbing in babies is often dismissed as a harmless habit, but in Asian infants it may signal conditions like allergic conjunctivitis or astigmatism. Learn the warning signs and when to seek care.

In the outpatient department, some babies always rub their eyes and shed tears. Upon examination, it is often found that the real “culprit” is a few “disobedient” eyelashes — trichiasis.

Today, let’s talk about this common problem that troubles many children and answer the top 5 concerns parents have about pediatric trichiasis.

Why Do Many Babies Have It?

Eyelashes grow on the anterior lip of our eyelid margin, divided into upper and lower eyelashes. Eyelashes have the functions of shielding light, blocking dust, preventing foreign objects from entering the eye, and beautifying the eyes.

“Trichiasis” means that the direction of eyelash growth is abnormal, not growing outward obediently, but turning in the opposite direction, adhering to or even rubbing against the surface of the eyeball. Trichiasis is more common in children, especially infants and young children.

The main reasons are:

Epicanthal Fold (Most Common)

Babies (especially Asian babies) have not yet fully developed their nasal bridge, and there is often excess skin folds near the inner corner of the lower eyelid (epicanthal fold). This “little fold” pushes the eyelash root inward, causing the eyelash to point towards the eyeball. This is usually physiological and often improves as the nasal bridge develops.