19,200.
Blinking comes naturally, and you hardly think about it, right? But if you do stop to think about it, it’s really a fascinating feature of the body that raises so many questions. Why do you blink? What happens if you blink too much or too little? How many times do you blink a day?
Blink once if you’re curious about this. Blink twice for ‘yeah, I’m very excited to learn more!’
The Average Blink Rate
The average blink rate for adults is 15 to 20 blinks per minute. Go ahead and try counting your blinks. I did, and I ended up doing it three times; I lost count!
This is equivalent to 900 to 1,200 blinks an hour, or up to 19,200 blinks in a day (if you sleep for eight hours a night). That’s a huge number of blinks!
Blinking helps make sure your eyes are moist and nourished. The amount we blink is also affected by several factors, such as our age, level of fatigue, and eye condition.
Why Do You Blink?
Blinking isn’t random. You have to do it normally in order to maintain healthy eyes. Here are some of the reasons why we blink:
Lubrication
Each blink comes with a thin layer of moisture or tear film that wets the surface of your eye. This keeps your cornea moist so you can see clearly. It also prevents stinging dry eyes.
Cleaning
Your blinks are ways to clean off dust and debris from your eyes. The tear film works as a cleaner, too, washing off unwanted irritants from your eyes.
Nourishment
The hero tear film is also working double time to “feed” your eyes with much-needed nutrients and oxygen. Because your corneas are not connected to your blood supply, your tear film is the only way to get oxygen and nutrients to your hungry peepers!
Protection
And finally, blinking also protects your eyes. Notice how you instinctively blink when a gust of wind hits you or if a light flashes in front of you. Blinking is a way for your eyelids to shield your eyes from unwanted intrusion.
What Your Blinks Say About Your Eyes
If your blink rate is off, then there may be something wrong. Consider these scenarios and see if you need to book an appointment with your doctor.
Inadequate Blinking and Dry Eye Syndrome
Not blinking enough is bad; it dries up your eyes. Dry eye syndrome is a very uncomfortable condition where your eyes become red and feel gritty. Sometimes, this comes with blurry vision, too.
You constantly need the moisture that comes from the tear film spread through blinking. But certain activities hamper this natural process. If you stare at a digital screen too much or are too focused on your reading, then your blinking might become infrequent, which then leads to dry eyes.
Excessive Blinking
Along with blinking too little, there’s also a state where a person blinks too much. This might be caused by a variety of conditions or circumstances:
Eye Irritation
Some allergies and infections can trigger excessive blinking as the eye tries to clear out irritants.
Eye Strain
Eye strain can lead to either too little or too much blinking. If you blink too much, it’s your eyes compensating for prolonged visual tasks.
Vision Problems
In the same way, too much blinking might also be a way to compensate for uncorrected vision problems, such as farsightedness and nearsightedness.
Neurological or Movement Disorders
Blepharospasm (involuntary eyelid spasm) and other neurological issues have several symptoms, including frequent blinking. So, note that excessive blinking is a symptom to watch out for when it comes to possible movement or neurological disorders.
Mental and Physical Problems
If you’re stressed or anxious, or if you’re taking certain medications, you may experience an increased blinking rate.
Blinking In the Digital Age
With screens all around in your day-to-day life, it’s hard to deny the impact of technology on blinking rates. The effect is different per person, according to their sensitivities and how their body reacts. They can experience reduced blinking, which leads to eye strain and dry eyes. Or, they can experience increased blinking to compensate for the strain and dry eyes.
So, while it may be hard to look away, it’s important to do so for your eyes’ health.
Maintaining Healthy Blinking Habits
While blinking is a natural impulse, you can take some control of it through mindful blinking habits:
Take Digital Breaks
Follow the 20-20-20 rule. Take a break from your digital screens every 20 minutes by gazing 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. This gives your eyes a necessary break, and this practice can also encourage your eye muscles to relax and blink more normally.
Conscious Blinking
If you’re noticing an infrequency in your blinking, take control and do it consciously. This allows you to naturally lubricate your eyes and keep them from drying.
Stay Hydrated
Staying hydrated is good for your health overall. It benefits your eyes, too, by improving your tear production.
Use Artificial Tears
Over-the-counter lubricating eye drops can give your dry eyes temporary relief.
Ensure Proper Lighting
Reduce glare from your screens and ensure that your workspace is well-lit. You can try blue light glasses, although the benefits from these are debatable. Or, just go to the settings of your computer to filter for blue light.
TL;DR
- Your blinks have implications for your eye health.
- The normal blink rate is 15 to 20 blinks per minute.
- You blink to lubricate and clean your eyes. It is also a way to nourish them since your corneas aren’t connected to your blood supply.
- To add to that, your blinking protects you from sudden intrusions and irritants.
- Infrequent blinking may be caused by too much screen time or too much focus on visual activities, such as reading. It can cause dry eyes and discomfort.
- Too much blinking can be a reaction to allergies, irritants, and eye strain. It can also be a symptom of vision problems or neurological and movement issues.
- Maintain good blinking habits by taking digital breaks, blinking consciously, staying hydrated, and ensuring proper lighting and screen filters. If you experience dry eyes, get relief by using artificial tears.
