Staring at Screens All Day? You May Not Be Blinking Enough
Staring at Screens All Day? You May Not Be Blinking Enough
What’s something you do nearly 8 million times a year without thinking about it?
Blink.
The average adult blinks about 15 times a minute, or 900 times an hour. That adds up to more than 7.8 million blinks each year.
This simple action, performed by some of the body's fastest muscles, serves a vital function. Blinking lubricates the eyes, removes debris or irritants (like lashes or dust), and may help the brain better process our environment.
Natalie Oberer, OD, an optometrist at the John A. Moran Eye Center at the University of Utah, sees patients every day who have a blinking problem and don’t even know it.
“A lot of people come in for dry eye symptoms that they don’t realize are related to a lack of blinking,” she says.
Common symptoms of dry eye include:
- Burning or stinging of the eyes
- A gritty or “sand stuck in the eye” feeling
- Excessive tearing
- Blurry vision
- Redness or inflammation
- Sensitivity to light
- Eye discharge
If left untreated, chronic dry eye syndrome can be painful and affect vision.
Screen Time and Reduced Blinking
One of the biggest culprits of dry eyes is screen time.
Studies show that when you’re looking at a phone, tablet, or computer, people blink 50% less than usual. And when you do blink, your eyelids don’t close fully.
The “use-it-or-lose-it” rule applies to the process that moisturizes our eyes.
“When we blink, teardrops cover the eye, and oil from special glands keeps the moisture from evaporating too quickly,” Oberer says. “When we blink less than we should, the glands can clog or even die, leading to long-term complications.”
As more time is spent looking at devices, the problem is growing. One study found that up to 23% of children suffer from dry eye syndrome—even though the condition was once mainly found in adults.
Other Factors That Can Make Dry Eye Worse
Screen time isn’t the only cause. Dry eye symptoms can also be triggered or worsened by:
- Not removing eye makeup before bed
- Certain skin conditions
- Arid environments
- Aging
- Allergies
- Conjunctivitis
- Outdated glasses prescription
- Eye spasms or tics
- Stress or anxiety
Tips to Protect Your Eyes and Keep Them Healthy
The good news? Small changes can make a big difference.
Follow the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away from your screen for 20 seconds. Close your eyes completely.
Depending on your symptoms, other treatments may include:
- Oral antibiotics
- Hot compresses
- Gentle massages
- Steroids
- Drops that mimic oil for people whose bodies don’t produce enough of it
Lastly, Oberer suggests mindfulness.
“It’s probably a good idea to be more mindful about blinking more frequently,” she says.