How Many Times Do You Blink a Day? You might be surprised to learn the answer. Blinks are so second nature and something that you’re doing on autopilot that we’re not even aware consciously that we’re blinking. And this teeny little thing is so important to taking care of our eyes and making it possible for them to work as well as they can. A human blinks 12-20 times a minute, and that’s 16,000-20,000 times a day!
Blinking is a reflex—and that’s just the beginning. Blinking also lubricates the eyes, guards them, and prevents infection. Blink rate is determined by screen time, disease, and even temperament. This week we’re examining the physiology of blinking, why we need blinking, and how to maintain your blink rate within optimal levels.
What is Blinking and How Does it Work?
Blinking is a reflex in which eyelids close and open in a second. Blinking tearful eyes by spreading thin layer of tears over the eye so that eye never dries up and gathers dust.
Types of blinking:
There are three types of blinking:
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Unconscious blinking :
Done unconsciously and lubricates eyes.
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Reflex blinking :
On receiving sudden stimulus like flash of light or approach of object towards the eye.
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Voluntary blinking :
Winking on purpose, i.e., eye exercises or winking.
Brainstem regulates blinking reflex and therefore half-automatic reflex—i.e., can wink on purpose but very automatically.
How Many Times Do You Blink on an Average Day?
Average normal rate of blinking 12-20 blinks per minute but with variation depending on activity and posture.
- Per hour: About 720 to 1,200 winks
- A day (16 waking hours):16,000 to 20,000 blinks
- Annually: More than 6 million blinks!
The blinking rate is varies—it slows down to look at something or accelerates in other situations. Explain why your blinking rate is fast or slow.
Factors That Influence Blinking Rate
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Environmental Regulators:
External stimulation regulates rate of blinking. Wind, light, and dry air dry up the eyes and hence compel us to blink more frequently. Light slows down rate of blinking.
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Biological Regulators:
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Age: 1-2/:
Min in infant but 15/min in adult. Blink rate would be directly proportional to advancement of age in the event of eye disease.
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Gender:
Women blinked slightly more than men maybe due to variation in tear secretion.
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Psychological Reasons:
Feelings dominate the rate of blinking.
- Stressed, anxious, fatigued individuals blink faster.
- Concentration—use of computer, or study—blink rate slower, even 3-8 blinks/min!
Health Conditions & Medications
Too little or too much blinking will be a sign of some disease.
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Too much blinking:
Due to dryness of the eye, allergy, or fatigue.
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Less blinking:
Due to Parkinson’s, nerve damage, or with certain drugs.
Why Blinking is Good for Your Eyes?
Blinking is automatic—eyes must be good enough to be able to keep on working without blinking. Blinking is done for the following reasons:
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Lubricate the eyes:
Spreading tears across the surface prevents dryness.
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Protect against irritants:
Dust, debris, and foreign particles are washed away.
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Maintain vision clarity:
Keeps the cornea hydrated, preventing blurred vision.
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Reduce eye strain:
Frequent blinking prevents discomfort from extended screen use.
If one never blinks at times, eyes dry, itch, or even develop long-term ailments like dry eye syndrome.
Does Screen Use Decrease Blinking?
Blink rate is significantly affected with the advent of computer and mobile screen use. Screen time has been shown to decrease your blink rate by 50% or more—chapping and drying out your eyes.
Why It Happens?
- More time spent on the screen without ever blinking.
- Eye strain due to glare and screen light becomes the substitute for involuntary blinking.
Protecting Your Eyes from Screen Dryness
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20-20-20 rule:
Blink 20 feet away after 20 seconds, 20 minutes.
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Voluntary blinking:
Deliberately blink a few times while using computers.
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Artificial tears:
To be used on computers for extended periods without drying.
Unusual Blinking Patterns: When to Be Concerned
Increased or reduced rate of blinking may be a sign.
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Over-blinking:
Due to dry eyes, tics, tension, or disease such as Tourette’s Syndrome,.
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Under-blinking:
Because of neurological disease, such as Parkinson’s disease.
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Spasms or tics blinking:
Because of tension, fatigue, or neurological disease.
In case the blinking is happening more frequently on an irregular pattern, do go see an eye doctor.
Fun Facts About Blinking
- Babies blink only 1-2 times per minute compared to 15-20 in adults.
- The longest blinking marathon lasted over 30 hours!
- Giraffes blink less than humans, while some birds have a special third eyelid for blinking.
How to Improve Your Blinking Habits for Eye Health
Healthy eyes? Don’t worry – Just do tiny things:
✔ Blinking exercises – Blink knowingly on screen every 4-6 seconds.
✔ Drink, eat – Vitamin A and Omega-3 fatty acids are eye lubricant to you.
✔ Eye rest – Sit and glare on pages or screens.
✔ Use humidifiers – Therefore dry air can’t enter your blink rate.
Conclusion
Blinking is small but completely necessary to eye health. The average person blinks 16,000 to 20,000 times in one day, but screen use, health, and stress are considered in the total.
If you master the blinking habit, screen break habit, and lubricating eye habit, you will have eyesight until death.
So now you know how many times you are supposed to blink in a minute, then now you can do some calculations to figure out how many times you blink in a minute! You will be amazed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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Average person blink how many times on day-to-day life?
The average individual blinks between 12 and 20 times a minute or 16,000 to 20,000 times daily. But that is highly variable with a very wide range depending on the use of screens, position, and disease.
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Why must we consciously avoid suppressing blinking on screen use?
As the wide eyes stare directly in front of the screen, they blink less and less in good faith, too, so the blinking rate decreases—down to 3-8 times per minute even. This results in fatigued, dry eyes, or computer vision syndrome.
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Is overblinking a sign of sickness?
Yes, dry eye syndrome, stress, allergy, or neurologic illness such as Tourette’s Syndrome or spasmodic eye is some reasons for hyperblinking. Painful blinking or spasmodic blinking must be referred to an eye specialist.
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Do children blink fewer times than adults?
Aha! 1 to 2 blinks a minute in children, much fewer than in an adult. Children blink less as a result of watery eyes and comparatively easier nervous system.
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How do I encourage my healthy blinking habit?
For healthy blinking habit, do the following:
- Put away the screen for a bit (20-20-20 rule).
- Blink voluntarily more while working with the screen.
- Apply artificial tears when the eyes get dry.
- Consume foods high in omega-3 fatty acid to complement your tear secretion.
- Drink water seasonally and maintain the environment non-dry.