Eye Facts: Why is Blinking SO Important?
Throughout your life, you’ve likely never really given much thought to how often you blink. And yet, you might be surprised to learn that humans, on average, spend between 3 and 8% of our waking hours with our eyes closed! So, just what makes blinking so important that we have to miss such as significant chunk of our day?
Why do humans blink?
Blink rate can vary significantly from person to person and based on what activity we are performing. For example, the average adult blinks around 10 to 15 times per minute, on average, while newborns blink at a rate of less than twice per minute!
In fact, our blink rate increases pretty consistently throughout childhood and into adulthood. It is believed that this may be because we begin to increasingly experience many of the factors that make us blink more: stress, attention, excitement, and lack of sleep. We also tend to blink less when carrying out tasks that require concentration, such as reading a book, watching TV, or working at a computer.
Furthermore, as in other animals, blinking can play a role in body language. Just as a cat might slowly blink at you when they feel safe and comfortable, excessive blinking in humans can indicate high stress or anxiety; some experts even claim that blinking behaviours can indicate when a person is lying!
But what are the more practical reasons for blinking so much?
Healthy Blinking = Healthy Eyes
Everyone is familiar with the notion that we have to stay hydrated to keep our bodies healthy. It is indeed in our very nature to seek out water – after all, around two-thirds of our bodies are made from the stuff! Drinking enough water is vital to ensure the healthy function of our organs, including our brains, hearts, and eyes.
In fact, as the only organ that is exposed to the outside world (apart from our skin), our eyes are particularly vulnerable to drying out. Therefore, it is incredibly important to keep the eyes sufficiently hydrated. Our body achieves this by – you guessed it – blinking!
Blinking and the Tear Film
When functioning correctly, our eyes are constantly moist. This is thanks to a thin layer of fluid that covers the outer surface of our eyeballs: the tear film. The tear film is controlled by the lacrimal glands (also known as tear glands) and the nasolacrimal ducts (commonly called tear ducts), which supply the eye with a constant supply of tear fluid. This is wiped over the surface of the eye when we blink and excessive fluid is drained into the nose via the tear ducts.
Not only does the tear film keep our eyes sufficiently hydrated, but it is also vital for washing away dirt and protecting us against infection. So, as you can see, blinking is far from simply an evolutionary behavioural quirk – it is actually vital for protecting one of our most precious assets: our vision.
The Threat of a Decreased Blink Rate
As mentioned earlier, there are a number of things that can cause a decline in our blink rate. One of the most common is excessive time spent on screens.
In our modern lives, screens are almost impossible to avoid. Whether it’s working at a computer all day, watching TV to unwind in the evening, or scrolling through social media in bed at night – most of us simply can’t get enough screen time. But it’s important to remember to take a break, for the sake of our eye health.
Taking a break from screens during the day, even if it’s simply taking a walk or even focusing on something in the distance every hour, can help prevent dry eyes and eye strain. Of course, some people are more vulnerable to dry eyes than others. If this is the case, you may benefit from over-the-counter eye drops that can help to keep your eyes healthy and hydrated.
If you’d like to learn more about dry eyes and Laser Eye Surgery, get in touch with one of our friendly clinic coordinators or Book a Consultation today!