Is Blinking Really Necessary? Here Is Your Answer
Human beings blink a lot. Statistics show that the average human being usually blinks at a rate of about 20 blinks per minute. This, and the fact that human body doesn't really entrust "blink-acts" to its voluntary systems, and that it is almost automatic, suggests that it is important. Question is, is it really as important as it seems?
While blinking might look like a mindless activity, it is not. As scientists have found out, blinking may just be the reason why you still have your eyesight.
Understanding this is a two-step process. The first involves appreciating the role that blinking plays in coating the eyes with tears. The second step involves understanding the role that tears play when it comes to keeping the eyes in a healthy and functional state.
The role blinking plays
Every time you blink, your eyelids coat your cornea with a film of tears. Therefore, the more you blink, the better the supply of tears over your egg-whites.
Tears and foreign debris in your eyes
The tear film in your eyes is made up of three layers. There is an outer oily layer, a middle watery layer and the innermost layer that is mainly made up of mucus. These tear layers are produced by different glands. Meibomian glands produce the oily layer. The conjuctiva produces the inner mucus-like layer, while the lacrimal glands produce the middle watery layer.
Of the three layers of tears in your eyes, it is the middle layer that is responsible for washing away any foreign debris that happens to land in your eyes. This includes dust particles, flying insects and even small grains of pollen. In doing so, tears help to prevent any damage that may occur to your eyes as a result of the continued existence of foreign particles in close proximity to delicate eye structures such as the cornea.
Tears and eye nourishment
With the first layer of tears providing a good enough surface to adhere to and the third layer protecting it from evaporation, the work of providing the cornea with enough nutrients still falls on the middle layer. This includes providing the cornea with not only enough minerals and moisture, but also enough proteins. This usually helps to nourish the cornea.
In short, blinking is important because it ensures that there is a coat of tears to nourish and protect your eyes. Therefore, if you want better eyesight, train yourself to blink more. Visit http://www.aspeneyewear.com for more information.
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