Why do we blink?
Quick Answer
Blinking spreads tears to keep the eyes moist and clean, and briefly gives the brain a tiny rest. We blink thousands of times a day.
The Full Story
Each blink sweeps a fresh film of tears across the eye, washing away dust and delivering oxygen and nutrients to the cornea, which has no blood supply of its own. We blink around 15 to 20 times a minute — far more than needed just for lubrication — which suggests blinking serves the brain too. Studies show we tend to blink at natural pauses, and the brief closure may give the visual system a momentary break to process information. Most blinks last only a fraction of a second, so we barely notice the darkness.
Key Facts
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Suggested video title for this topic:
"Why We Blink — The Reflex You Never Notice"
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