A blink of an eye typically lasts between 0.1 and 0.4 seconds.
While that may seem incredibly brief, these quick closures of our eyelids serve vital purposes, including:
- Lubricating the eye: Blinking spreads a thin layer of tears across the surface of the eye, keeping it moist and comfortable.
- Removing irritants: Blinking helps wash away dust, debris, and other irritants that may enter the eye.
- Providing a brief rest: Even these short periods of darkness allow the eye muscles to relax momentarily.
Considering that the average person blinks around 15-20 times per minute, these short blinks can add up to roughly 10% of our waking hours with our eyes closed. Interestingly, studies indicate that blinking frequency isn't significantly affected by age or sex.
