Did you know these facts about blinking?

Have you ever wondered how many times a day we blink? It happens all the time, whether we're talking, working, reading a book, or looking at our phone, right? It's actually an automatic, healthy process that happens in our bodies. But do you know how much this simple, little thing can do for our eyes? Today, let's talk about blinking.

What exactly is this eye-rolling?

Simply put, blinking is a healthy reflex that occurs naturally. Just as we don't have to remember to breathe, we don't have to consciously blink. Our autonomic nervous system takes care of it. But we can blink even if we want to. There are actually three ways to blink.

• Spontaneous blinking: This is the type we do most of the time, and it happens without us even realizing it. It's like breathing.
• Voluntary blinking: This is what we do on purpose. If you feel like blinking right now, you can do it, right? That's it.
• Reflex blinking: This is also called the corneal reflex . This happens when something comes too close to the eye, or when you feel that something is about to happen. Imagine that you are walking on the road and suddenly get caught in a big dust storm. Or something like a cricket ball flies right past your face. Before you even think, your eyes close, right? That's it.

Why is eye contact so important?

What happens if we don't blink? Our eyes become dry, uncomfortable, and painful. Not only that, our vision becomes less clear, and our eyes become more susceptible to infections. Just like the wipers on a car, blinking plays a major role in keeping our eyes healthy.

With each step, these things happen:

• Protects the eyes from dust, smoke, and other dangerous objects.
• Tears (lacrimal secretions) spread throughout the eyelids, keeping the eyes moist and relieving discomfort.
• It removes dead cells, dried tears, and other debris from inside the eye.
• Provides the eyes with the necessary oxygen and nutrition .

How many times does a person blink an average day?

An adult blinks an average of 14 to 17 times per minute. That's 840 to 1,020 times per hour. Imagine that you sleep for 8 hours a day. That means you blink between 13,440 and 16,320 times per day while you're awake!

But this is just an average. Some people blink less, some people blink more. If your blink rate doesn't interfere with your normal life, there's no reason to worry about it.

Does eye strain decrease when looking at the computer?

Yes, absolutely! Research has found that when we stare at a computer screen, tablet, or phone for a long time, our eye blink rate decreases significantly. We blink an average of 14-17 times per minute, but when we stare at a screen, that number can drop to 5 times per minute .

If you work a lot with a computer, have a child who takes online classes, or spend a lot of time on your phone, follow this 20-20-20 rule .

• Take your eyes off the screen every 20 minutes .
• Look at something at least 20 feet away .
• Stare at that thing for at least 20 seconds .

If you practice this habit daily, you can greatly reduce the fatigue and discomfort your eyes feel.

Health problems associated with eye strain

There are several main situations that are discussed when it comes to eye strain.

• Excessive blinking
• Blepharospasm, a condition that causes eyelid twitching
• Pain when blinking

Excessive blinking

There's no exact number that says "it's excessive if it's more than this amount." But if your eye strain is to the point where it interferes with your daily activities or life, we consider it "excessive."

Some children, especially around the age of 5, start to blink excessively out of habit. Although there is no specific cause for this, the condition usually goes away on its own within a few months.

Blepharospasm

This is a slightly different condition than excessive blinking. Blepharospasm is a neurological condition that causes us to blink our eyes in an uncontrollable manner. Although it can happen to anyone, it is not very common.

Pain when blinking

If you experience pain when blinking, there could be several reasons for it.

• Eye infections
• Corneal ulcer
• Allergies
• Dust, smoke, etc. entering the eyes
• Wearing ill-fitting contact lenses or wearing them for too long
• Uveitis , an inflammation of the inside of the eye

How to stop the habit of blinking excessively?

Most of the time, this excessive blinking will go away on its own without any treatment. But in the meantime, you can try these things:

• Use lubricating eye drops daily to keep your eyes moist.
• Take regular breaks when reading books or working on the computer.
• Avoid environments that are uncomfortable for your eyes, such as smoky rooms.
• Practice stress-reducing techniques such as meditation.
• Get your eyes checked regularly.

Treatment depends on the cause. If you have poor vision, you will be given glasses or contact lenses. If you have an allergy, infection, or injury, you will be given the necessary medications (eye drops, ointments). If your condition is caused by stress or a condition such as facial tics, you may be referred to a specialist.

When should you see a doctor?

If you experience any of the following symptoms, be sure to see a doctor.

• Eye pain
• Discharge of mucus or other fluid from the eyes
• Swelling or redness of the eyes
• Sudden changes in vision

Many of us don't think much about blinking our eyes. But this small procedure provides great protection for our eyes. Without blinking, our eyes are more likely to get infected and hurt. So if you notice any abnormality or change in your eyes, don't ignore it and talk to your doctor.