How many times do you blink in a day?

Blinking is an automatic reflex for most people. Your eyes shutter themselves in microseconds thousands of times every day, usually without you realizing it.

How many times do people blink per minute? The average is around 15 to 20 times every minute for many people, but it can be as little as 12 blinks a minute. According to Healthline, the average number of blinks in a day for each person ranges from 14,400 to 19,200 for most people. 

Why blinking matters for contact lens wearers

Blinking isn't an arbitrary body motion — there's a purpose to it. When your eyelids snap shut during a blink, the action puts pressure on glands that secrete moisture, or tears. This moisture creates a film known as a tear film, which helps keep your eyes protected and moisturized. The action of the blink also shepherds away old tear film and other debris, ensuring your eyes have a fresh protective, moisturizing layer and are clear of irritants. 

The benefits of blinking are still important even if you're wearing contact lenses. The tear film under and around the contact lens is exchanged when you blink, as it would be if you weren't wearing contacts. Blinking also helps keep the contact lens moist and clear, promoting eye health and clear vision. 

Unfortunately, contact wearers blink less frequently on average than people who don't wear contacts.

Can not blinking enough cause dry eyes? Absolutely. Without the consistent tear exchange that comes with blinking, the eyes and any contacts in them can become dry. This can lead to irritation, itching, and other issues. If blinking issues are long-term, it can impact overall eye health.

Factors that affect blinking frequency

Whether you wear contacts is only one factor that can impact how often you blink. Another is age. One study found that blinking decreased on average as people aged. People age 50 and older were more likely to have blinking disorders, which means that they blink less on average than younger people — sometimes to the degree that it becomes an issue for eye health and function.

Outside of age, why do some people blink more frequently than others? Gender plays a role. One study showed that women blink significantly more than men, and these results have been repeated in other studies.

Your overall health also contributes to your blink rate. According to the National Library of Medicine, conditions that can cause a reduced blink rate include Parkinson's disease, corneal sensitivity disorders and progressive supranuclear palsy. 

Lifestyle choices and activities can also impact how often you blink. For example, we tend to blink less when engaged with screen-based activities, such as working on a computer or browsing social media on a smartphone.

Tips for contact lens wearers to improve blinking

If you wear contact lenses, you may want to create good habits for blinking to ensure the best results with your contacts. Here are a few tips for doing so.

• Practice blinking exercises: These can be helpful if you have dry eyes. Close your eyes gently and wait for 2 seconds. Open them slowly, and relax for a second or two. Repeat the entire process five times. You can do this exercise several times a day.
• Choose the right contacts: Contacts that don't fit well can impede spontaneous eye movement such as blinking. You also need contacts that move correctly when you blink. Your eye doctor can help you find contacts that are a good fit for you. Consider starting with the online vision exam. 
• Take a break from screens: If you work on a computer, play games, or otherwise use devices for lengthy periods of time, get into the habit of looking away from the screen often. For every 10 to 20 minutes you spend looking at the screen, look away for a few minutes to give your eyes a rest. You might also engage in blinking exercises to ensure your eyes and contacts are properly moistened. 

Find the right contacts for you now

The right contacts promote better blinking habits, which is good for your eyes. Ensuring you blink enough when you wear contacts helps keep your eyes hydrated and free of debris. It also helps ensure your contacts are moist enough to work well. 

Browse our selection of contact lenses now to get started.