Optometry has progressed and developed a lot in the past few years. Different techniques and treatment are now developed, which are very helpful for humanity.

Blinking is important for eye protection. It keeps your eyes moist and oxygenated, as well as clearing dirt from them.

No doubt, the eyes are a very delicate part of the body, so eye care is necessary. In case of frequent blinking or irritation, you should see an eye specialist. Glasses and lenses are very helpful in these eye infections and problems.

While not everybody blinks at the same pace, the average amount of times most people blink in a minute, hour, or day can be calculated.

Let’s look at the total amount of times you blink in a day and what could be causing you to blink less often.

Why human eyes blink?

The proverbial “blink of an eye” lasts just a tenth of a second, but that’s what it takes to flush dust particles from the eyeball and disperse lubricating fluids over it. To prevent your globes from drying out, your eyelids scatter a cocktail of oils and mucous secretions over the surface of the eye with each blink. Blinking also protects eyes from potentially harmful stimuli like flashing lights and foreign objects like pollen.

Then why aren’t you seeing the universe dimming every two or ten seconds? Scientists have discovered that the human brain can ignore brief blackouts. The act of blinking suppresses behavior in many regions of the brain responsible for sensing external changes, resulting in a constant perception of the universe.

Reasons why blinking is important?

Blinking is important for eye protection. It is essential in the following areas:

• removing debris from your skin, such as airborne particles, dry tears, and dead cells
• supplying the eyes with nutrients and other substances that aid in their wellbeing
• wetting your eyes, which avoids dry eyes and lowers your chance of tear film problems
• supplying oxygen to the eyes

All of these features also aid in the prevention of eye infections. Furthermore, blinking allows the brain to take a short break, allowing you to refocus on whatever you’re doing.

When you don’t blink, what will happen?

Whether you don’t blink, or whether you don’t blink often enough:

• The cornea can swell. Since the cornea lacks blood vessels, it relies on the tear film for oxygen, which it receives when you blink. Although you blink less often, the cornea can always receive enough oxygen. If you don’t blink, though, you risk corneal swelling due to a lack of oxygen. In reality, the cornea swells slightly when you sleep, then quickly returns to normal when you wake up.
• Your eyes would be deprived of the nutrients they need to remain healthy.

• Since your tear film isn’t being replenished, your eyes will become dry. This can cause eye pain as well as blurred vision.

• Because of debris that sticks in the eye and a lack of oxygen to the eye, you’re more likely to have an infection.

Conclusion

Most people blink 15 to 20 times a minute on average. This keeps the eyes safe by keeping them oxygenated and moist, as well as removing dirt from them.

While certain circumstances can cause you to blink more or less often, a difference in your blinking rate rarely indicates a serious problem. To avoid serious eye problems, eye care is very important when your eyesight gets weak, so doctors prescribe glasses or lenses.

Eyes are very delicate, so they need care and proper checkups with the professionals of the optometry department.

Consult the doctor to observe variations in your blinking patterns and signs of an eye infection, neurological complications, or a new eye injury. That may be an indication of something more sinister in this situation.