Blinking is typically a subconscious natural action that hydrates and cleans your eyes by spreading your tears over their outer surface. It also protects your eye by closing it to keep out dust, other irritants, very bright light, and foreign objects.
However, there’s such a thing as too much blinking. Excessive blinking could be a symptom of various issues, according to one expert, some of which may require a trip to your GP.
Nimmi Mistry, professional services optician at Vision Direct, spoke with Express.co.uk about some of the associated health risks of blinking too much.
She explained: “As we age our blinking frequency changes. newborn babies only blink about two times per minute, but by the time you’re an adult, this increases to 14 to 17 times per minute and then stays around this number for the rest of your life.
“Blinking patterns can change with certain situations, for example it may slow during periods of focus and speed up when you’re in a stressful situation.
“Excessive blinking is therefore categorised as frequent rapid blinking which may interfere with your daily life, activities, or vision.
“The good news is that most of the issues which cause excessive blinking aren’t serious and, in many cases, will either resolve on their own or require minimum treatment.
“Some, however, can lead to eye health complications if not addressed quickly.”
Two urgent issues that can cause excessive blinking, according to Nimmi, are declining vision and corneal abrasion.
She said: “Undiagnosed visual problems can also cause someone to excessively blink as the eyes try to focus and become strained as a result.
“If you’re finding it more difficult to see long distance or read up close, then it’s recommended that you see an optician for an eye test.
“It’s important to have an eye test every two years, but, if you’ve been experiencing any of the symptoms above for a prolonged period, it’s essential to see an eye care professional as soon as you can to eliminate any visual complications.”
A corneal abrasion or other eye injury could also be behind excessive blinking.
“A corneal abrasion is a small scratch on the cornea,” Nimmi said. “Common causes include a fingernail scraping the eye, getting grit in the eye (particularly if the grit is rubbed in further) and poor technique when inserting and removing contact lenses.
“This type of injury, although small, can be extremely painful due to the number of nerves that supply the cornea.
“The pain typically starts to subside as the scratch heals, which can take approximately 24 to 48 hours for mild abrasions.
“However, if you find the severity of the pain increases, with extreme sensitivity to lights, a decline in vision, or a general worsening of the appearance of your eyes, you should seek immediate medical advice.”
Nimmi also warned that excessive blinking could be caused by conditions such as conjunctivitis, blepharitis and dry eye.
If symptoms of these persist you should speak to a health professional, she said.
Other, less serious, causes of excessive blinking include hay fever, fatigue and eye strain.
If you experience any issues with your eyes you should speak with your doctor or optician.