Why do people blink?

1. Types and causes of blinking

There are two types of blinking: one is protective blinking, such as when an external object touches the human cornea, or when being frightened, exposed to a strong light beam, or an object suddenly flashes in front of the eyes, all of which can cause the human body to blink.

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.

Another type of blinking is an involuntary movement that people do unconsciously without any external stimulation.

2. The role of blinking

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 injuries.

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.

3. What should I do if I blink more frequently?

For children with increased blinking caused by diseases such as ADHD, conjunctivitis, keratitis, entropion, trichiasis, dryness and inflammation, foreign bodies in the eyes, etc., they should go to the hospital for treatment. After the cause is identified, frequent blinking can be eliminated through treatment. For example, patients with entropion and trichiasis can undergo double eyelid treatment to correct the entropion and avoid irritation of the eyes by eyelashes.

For blinking that is not caused by disease, the cause should be eliminated, such as reducing the time of watching TV, eliminating the psychological pressure of children, paying attention to rest, and applying hot towels to the eyes. At the same time, strengthening self-control can reduce the number of blinks.