Each time we blink, a thin layer of tears is spread across the eye surface, keeping them from drying out as well as brushing away any small particles of dust or dirt that could otherwise irritate our eyes or impair our vision.
Did you know that the number of times we blink decreases drastically when we are focused on something? On average we only blink three to eight times per minute when reading, watching TV, listening to a podcast, working on a computer, or another activity that requires intense focus.
To optimally support your eyes and vision, it's best to blink softly every two to four seconds, which translates to about fifteen to thirty blinks per minute.
Blinking helps to keep our eyes moist and free of dirt and when we don’t do it enough that can lead to blurred vision, dry eyes and headaches.
Experts warn people working in front of a screen could be damaging their eyes because they aren’t blinking enough.