One blink lasts about a tenth of a second. The average person blinks every 4 seconds, – that is about 15 times per minute, or over 20,000 times a day, depending on how long the person stays awake. Although each blink lasts about a tenth of a second, which isn't a lot of time, it is enough to clean and lubricate the surface of the eye.
Blink and Rest
Blinking protects the eyes from bright lights and irritants. Scientists have found that blinking also helps the brain get a much-needed break.
Excessive Blinking
Some people blink more than 20 times per minute. Several factors such as problems with the eyelids, ingrown eyelashes, a scratch on the cornea, infections, insufficient tear production or needing glasses can cause excessive blinking. An eye doctor will diagnose the problem and find a treatment, which may include the use of glasses, eye drops or ointments.
A few individuals who are too stressed or bored can develop a blinking tic (voluntary excessive blinking), but that can disappear within a few weeks or months. People also tend to blink more during stressful situations and less when they are concentrating, for example, when reading a book or playing video games.
Dry eye is a condition that affects many millions world-wide and it's the number one reason people see an ophthalmologist. When someone has dry eye, they don't produce enough tears to lubricate and clean the eyeball, which leads to excessive blinking, itchiness and redness. Over-the-counter artificial tears can ease the arid sensation, but sometimes dry eye means there is an underlying health problem.
People with lupus, rosacea, arthritis and other autoimmune conditions usually have dry eyes. As people age, tear production diminishes and dryness becomes a problem; hence artificial tears are needed to lubricate their eyes.
Mites, microscopic bugs that cling to eyelashes and feed on sebum, also cause dry eye and therefore excessive blinking. Although this doesn't sound pleasant getting rid of them is easy. Most eye doctors recommend applying warm washcloths over the eyes and massaging the eyelids.
In rare cases, prescription and over-the-counter drugs can cause dry eye. If this is the case, the easiest solution is speaking with the doctor who prescribed the medication so that they can recommend a treatment for dry eye or prescribe a different medication that does not have dry eye as a side effect.
Image/words above, also more to read and references, can be seen in article here
All the best Jan
27 comments:
...my eyes are often dry.
It's pretty fast! I deal with dry eyes. I have rheumatoid arthritis which can cause dry eyes as you said in your post. Artificial tears do help!
Interesting -Christine cmlk79.blogspot.com
This is fascinating, Jan! Thank you so much for sharing.
I have dry eyes and use drops. That eye color in your photo is unusual.
I have very dry eyes but the problem apparently has to do with the make-up of my tears. I often have to take a break and hold a very warm, wet wash cloth on my eyes. It helps.
All the wildfires and their smoke that we're having at this time isn't helping.
Interesting info, thank you!
I got an eye-infection and my doc subscribed me meds with cortisone. 2011. Ever since I have to pay from my money (health insurance does not cover it). My eyes get dry as sand. I pay for health insurance every month. Be aware of medication... I had no idea myself, I do not blame the doctor.
I had no idea we blinked so much. Dry eye - wow and my age I don't have it, well yet and I'm 80 ! I'm very fortunate.
Interesting. I read somewhere that people don't blink often enough. That seems a rather sweeping statement so I looked at Copilot and found this:
Screen time is the main culprit—blinking can drop by 60% during intense focus like reading or computer use
Blinking exercises: Close, squeeze, open, relax—repeat every hour
Conscious blinking: Make a habit of blinking more during screen-heavy tasks
Eye breaks: Follow the 20-20-20 rule—every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds
Hello,
I have dry eyes and use the lubricating eye drops a few times a day.
Take care, have a great day!
Es bueno lubricar los ojos al parpadear. Interesante Jan. Gracias.
Buen jueves.
I don't have dry eye, in fact I was laughing at some memes a minute ago and have to wipe the tears out of one eye. But I know a lot of people who do. And who knew that blinking gives the brain a quick break. Very cool info today Jan. How your week is going well.
Hello Jan :)
I have dry eyes and use drops several times a day to lubricate them and it helps..I had no clue that we blink so often.
Enjoy the rest of your week
Sonjia.
Jan, another problem we usually have, especially at a certain age, is floaters or myodesopsias, which are small spots that patients perceive moving in their visual field. They correspond to condensations of the vitreous humor, the transparent gel that fills the interior of the eye. Generally, it is not significant, but in some cases, they are associated with small tears and/or bleeding in the retina that may require laser treatment to prevent a retinal detachment (a more serious condition that requires surgical treatment).
That is pretty fast! Funny thing reading that made me blink more haha put the thought into my head! I have been quite lucky and don't have dry eyes. :-D
Por ahora no he tenido el problema de ojo seco, espero que no se me presente.
Saludos.
Hi Jan,
Excellent post.
When I was younger, I used to wear contact lenses. Over the years, my eyes became less tear-prone and very dry, so I had to opt for glasses.
Greetings and all the best for you,
Maria
I find myself blinking a bit more when working at the computer. I take it as a sign to step away!
GOOGLE TRANSLATE
Laura. M
Es bueno lubricar los ojos al parpadear. Interesante Jan. Gracias.
Buen jueves
It's good to lubricate your eyes when you blink. Interesting, Jan. Thanks.
Happy Thursday.
VENTANA DE FOTO
Por ahora no he tenido el problema de ojo seco, espero que no se me presente.
Saludos
So far, I haven't had any dry eye problems. I hope they don't happen again.
Best regards
Husband is having cataract surgery this month.
I didn't realize we blink that much. No dry eyes for me. My eyes get watery when I walk and it's cold.
HELLO EVERYONE
Many thanks to you all for your comments.
Thank you for sharing your experiences, thoughts and tips, it's always lovely to receive, read and share them.
I like the tips Jabblog shared (thank-you) and I've copied them again here:-
"Interesting. I read somewhere that people don't blink often enough. That seems a rather sweeping statement so I looked at Copilot and found this:
Screen time is the main culprit—blinking can drop by 60% during intense focus like reading or computer use
Blinking exercises: Close, squeeze, open, relax—repeat every hour
Conscious blinking: Make a habit of blinking more during screen-heavy tasks
Eye breaks: Follow the 20-20-20 rule—every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds"
All the best Jan
Interesting read, Jan. Thanks!
I have dry eye and use the drops, about once a week I use eye lid wipes and they are very soothing to the eye, my eye doctor recommended it to me, when I found out all that can be on your lashes it so grossed me out.
I use eye drops for dry eyes.
Siempre interesante lo que nos cuentas. Besos.
Post a Comment