Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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6yo blind pressing fingers into eyes and losing collagen (self.Blind)
submitted by monocleformyoneeye
Hi everyone, I am in a relationship with a parent of a 6yo blind child and when we are all together, the stimulating of his eye sockets is a constant behaviour that we are trying to stop. His eyes are sunken and he has dark rings under. I understand that this stimulation is pleasurable for him and wonder if we can replace it somehow.
Are there glasses that will provide protection but also light stimulation?
Has anyone here successfully dealt with this? So far we are just using reminders to keep his hands down.
Are there glasses that will provide protection but also light stimulation?
Has anyone here successfully dealt with this? So far we are just using reminders to keep his hands down.
[deleted] 7 points 1y ago
I hope this proves helpful! A very painful symptom of my blindness, (caused by retinal dystrophy), is light sensitivity. Any light hits my eye and it feels like someone is kicking my eyeball really hard from the backside of it - if that makes any sense. When I was a child I used to rub my eyes and put pressure on them to alleviate that discomfort, but that can harm the eye. I have to wear category 4 sunglasses everywhere I am as a result. There are a number of glasses that block out specific amounts of uv rays or types of uv rays, maybe that would ease the fingers in the eyes as well as some discomfort? So glad to see parents reaching out about these things, my parents had no clue about these things at the time, unfortunately.
monocleformyoneeye [OP] 3 points 1y ago
Thanks I wonder if that is happening for him. He does wear sunglasses. I notice he does it in a number of light levels including low light so I think it is more of a sensory stimulation thing for him.
I wondered about giving him a sensory bracelet to play with e.g. those popit type ones to redirect him.
I wondered about giving him a sensory bracelet to play with e.g. those popit type ones to redirect him.
[deleted] 1 points 1y ago
Fidget or sensory toys might be very good for him as well to keep the hands busy, for sure! I do have one for myself, it is like a cube with different interactive sensory objects on each side. I tend to keep something I can fidget with around, but it is because I am on the spectrum and it helps keep me somewhat centered. I hope you find what you are in search of!
blind_cowboy 5 points 1y ago
I am 38 and still catch myself doing it. I got all of the reminders as a kid. Sun glasses help.
monocleformyoneeye [OP] 3 points 1y ago
Thanks, he does have sunglasses and they are a physical reminder for him.
What do you notice when you do it? Why do you do it?
What do you notice when you do it? Why do you do it?
bradley22 2 points 1y ago
I used to do it, sometimes I might still do it, because it’s relaxing.
It could be a pressure thing, I’m not sure.
It could be a pressure thing, I’m not sure.
TechnicalPragmatist 1 points 1y ago
I don’t know why i initially did it probably a comfort thing, but I don’t do this anymore. I have allergies so I do rub and wipe my eyes. But pressing on them no. I use to do it because honestly I liked crushing the vessls or nerves in it. Hahaha! I don’t know what it was. It felt very interesting.
TechnicalPragmatist 1 points 1y ago
I wonder if sitting him down and explaining why this is adverse is good in a very rational and nonpatronizing way.
[deleted] -2 points 1y ago
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