Why do eyes blink?

Eyes are our most important organs. Eyes can see all the beautiful things in life and are also the windows to our soul. Blinking is a habitual action of ours, and it is also an innate action. Blinking can moisturize the eyes, and at the same time, it can prevent the eyeballs from being polluted by dust in the air, and it can also relieve eye fatigue. Therefore, blinking is a natural protective force.

Why do eyes blink?

Blinking is a rapid eye-closing movement caused by the movement of the orbicularis oculi muscle. Data shows that people blink more than 10 times per minute, each blink takes 0.3-0.4 seconds, and the time interval between two blinks is about 2.8-4 seconds.

This reaction is often subconscious and goes through a complex nerve conduction process in a very short period of time. It is medically known as the corneal reflex.

Blinking has the following four effects on the human body:

1. Protect the eyeballs: By blinking, the human body can prevent the eyeballs from being stimulated by foreign objects (such as flying insects or wind and sand) or strong light, thereby protecting the eyeballs and avoiding damage.

2. Clean and moisten the eyeballs: Blinking can evenly distribute tears on the cornea and conjunctiva, keep the eyeballs moist, and prevent the eyeballs from drying out.

3. Relieve eye fatigue: We all have this experience. When our eyes feel tired, we blink a few times and we will feel more comfortable. This is because in the moment of blinking, the eyeballs are temporarily closed from the outside world, allowing the eyes to get a short rest.

4. It helps doctors judge the condition of the patient: According to the principle of protective blinking, doctors can judge whether the patient is in a coma and the depth of the coma based on whether the patient blinks. This is called eyelash reflex in medicine.

Other effects

1. A normal person's eyelids blink about 15 times per minute. Blinking is good for your eyes: first, it cleans and moistens your eyeballs. Secondly, blinking can protect your eyes. When wind, sand or flying insects approach the eyes, the eyelids will naturally blink, thus blocking the sand and insects. When your eyes feel tired, blink a few times and you will feel more comfortable. This is because the light is interrupted in the blink of an eye, which gives your eyes a short rest.

Some people love to blink, which causes excessive strain on the eyes and affects their vision.

2. How many times can a person blink in his lifetime? About 200 million times! Blinking is like the "windshield brush" of a car.

3. The eyes need to maintain temperature, and blinking helps to keep the eyes moist. The eyes have tear glands that store tears. Every time you blink, pressure is applied to the opening of the tear glands, causing tears to flow out, preventing the eyes from drying out. It can be said that every time you blink your eyes, you are "crying".

4. Eyes are the most delicate organ of the human body. This is what the saying "don't rub sand in your eyes" means. In fact, many organs in the human body have a self-protection ability in response to the external environment, and blinking is one of them. When you blink, tears can wash away the fine dust on the surface of the eyeball and keep the eyes clean. In addition, blinking is also a way to rest your eyes.