We typically blink between 14,000 and 19,200 times a day, and Brimhall Eye Center explains that the reflex is essential to protecting and maintaining our eye health.
But if you stopped blinking for a few hours, there would be much worse consequences for your eye health.
There are three main things that can happen if you don’t blink enough or at all.
Dry Eyes
The eye experts say that if you’re someone who doesn’t blink enough, you may end up with dry eyes because the cornea doesn’t get the moisture and nutrients it needs.
“Prolonged periods of not blinking can lead to chronic dry eye syndrome, which has symptoms such as discomfort, gritty sensations, and burning/stinging eyes,” the team add.
Increased risk of eye infections
Blinking not only clears away debris, it also brings oxygen to your eyes. But if you don’t blink enough, you’re cutting back on all that, which “both disrupts the even distribution of the tear film and increases the growth of bacteria on the surface of the eye. This can lead to infection.
Swelling of the cornea
Finally, this can happen if you don’t blink. Because the cornea doesn’t have blood vessels, it relies on the tear film to replenish oxygen. The Brimhall Eye Center adds: “If you stop blinking, your cornea can swell, causing blurred vision, light sensitivity and discomfort.”