You should blink correctly because you are a human! Blinking keeps the ocular surface lubricated and your eyes’ surface free of allergies and debris. Why does that matter?
Your baby blues can stay healthy because lubrication naturally raises nutrients and other materials to the eye’s surface.
Tears flow over your eyes when you blink, aiding in the fight against infection and even improving the image that reaches your retina. Blinking, in other words, is probably the best thing you can do for your eyes!
However, are you blinking? You’re likely not rinsing as much lubricant across your eye’s surface as you may be if you’re not exercising a “full” blink.
When you fully blink, tears are released from the gland under your forehead and move throughout your eye.
You probably don’t blink frequently enough while you’re preoccupied or focused on something; when you do, you probably aren’t exercising a “full” blink.
Why Do You Blink?
Your eyes need to blink to stay healthy. It is essential for the following functions:
- It helps keep your eyes healthy by removing debris from them, such as dust, dead cells, and dried tears.
- It moisturizes your eyes to prevent dryness and lowers the risk of tear film issues.
- It delivers oxygen to your eyes.
- Additionally, these features help avoid eye infections. Blinking also provides a brief rest period for your brain, which helps you concentrate again on what you’re doing.
How Many Times Do You Blink In A Day?
On average, most people blink between 15 and 20 times per minute, which implies that they blink between 900 and 1,200 times an hour while awake.
- 19,200–14,400 times every day
- 100,800–134,400 times a week,
- 5.2–7.1 million times annually
The duration of each blink is 0.1–0.4 seconds. Considering the typical person’s blink rate per minute, this accounts for around 10% of your total awake time.
What Might Happen If You Don’t Blink?
If your blinking is infrequent or nonexistent:
Your cornea may enlarge. When you blink, it receives oxygen from the tear film since it lacks blood vessels. Even if you just blink less, your cornea should receive enough oxygen.
However, ocular edema may result from oxygen deprivation if you don’t blink. Even your cornea expands slightly as you sleep, but it quickly returns to normal when you wake up.
- You won’t give your eyes the nutrition they require to stay healthy.
- Because your tear film isn’t being renewed, your eyes may dry, leading to vision problems and eye pain.
- Debris and low oxygen levels in your eye can increase your chances of eye infections.
What Can Cause You To Blink Less Often?
Computer vision syndrome, which can occur when someone uses a computer for extended periods without taking a break, is a typical reason why people blink less frequently.
According to research, when you use a computer, your blink rate decreases by 66%. If you experience dry eyes when using a computer, you might be blinking less regularly.
To Help Combat Computer Vision Syndrome, Try:
- Use the 20-20-20 rule and take frequent breaks. Every 20 minutes, take a break from your computer and focus your eyes for 20 seconds on something 20 feet away.
- consciously reminding yourself to blink when using a computer
- applying eye drops
- using a glare filter on your screen, changing the lighting or the location of your screen to minimize glare
- Changing your screen’s brightness and contrast will help you read without straining your eyes.
- Reducing the amount of time you spend in front of a computer, especially in the evening when it may be darker, and you’re more tired
Benefits Of Blinking
Let’s examine a few advantages of blinking to motivate you to blink more frequently.
1. Maintains Your Eyes Clean
The eyes, which are among the most delicate organs, are cleaned by blinking. Air pollution, dust, and debris can adversely affect your eyes’ ability to see clearly. Furthermore, whether we are awake or asleep, the accumulation of rheumatic or sleepy dust that is continuously produced by our own eyes might be harmful. You can get rid of these irritants by blinking.
2. Hydrates
As we blink, the surface of our eyes is flushed with new tears. Blinking adds tears to the eyes in three layers. The outermost layer prevents tears from evaporating and offers oily lubrication between the eyes and the eyelids; the innermost layer supplies moisture rich in proteins; and the middle layer removes foreign objects.
3. Allows Your Eyes To Relax
Although a blink lasts no longer than 300 milliseconds, it gives your eyes adequate time to take occasional, well-earned breaks. The cornea, iris, lens, retina, and many nerves are always at work to create a crisp image. These brief rest intervals are necessary to recover and resume their ideal performance.
4. Benefits Your Lens
The tears and moisture your blinking produce keep your eye’s cornea and lens hygienic and clear. The tears shield the lens from scratches. Regular cleaning also aids in maintaining ideal refraction in your lens, which enhances the retina’s formed image. As a result, blinking is necessary for 20/20 vision.
5. Allows You To Compile Your Ideas
There’s a surprise benefit to blinking. It promotes the best possible brain function. Your brain is always processing information from your surroundings. The act of blinking serves as a mental break. For example, it helps the brain shut off the outer world and rest between periods of intense concentration. Though it might not seem like much, blinking could be crucial for mental and emotional health.
On average, most adults blink 15 to 20 times each minute. Blinking keeps your eyes hydrated, oxygenated, and debris-free, which promotes eye health.
Although certain conditions can affect your blinking frequency, a change in your blink rate is rarely an indication of a serious problem.
If you observe abnormal blinking patterns or indications of an eye infection or a recent eye injury, consult your physician. In this instance, it can indicate a more serious illness.
Learn More: What Does It Mean To Be Nearsighted Or Farsighted?