Why do we blink when our eyes are closed? How long is the blink?

Blinking is a natural process. We have to blink because it clears away particles from the eyes. Moreover, it helps to clear our vision. Blinking lubricates the eyeballs. However, it helps to keep the surface of the eyeball smooth. It releases a tear film that consists of oil, water, and mucus. Blinking when our eyes are closed is an unusual question because blinking is possible only with open eyes. However, if your eyes blink when you close them, it may be because of some issue. But you cannot blink with closed eyes, generally.

Why do eyes blink when closed? How long is the blink?

Blinking means opening and closing the eyes rapidly. It is a natural process because it clears our vision. Moreover, it helps to keep the eyeball clean. Usually, a blink lasts between 0.1 to 0.4 seconds. Usually, 98% of people blink when they are awake. However, there are some exceptional cases where people blink with closed eyes. However, some experts believe that we keep blinking when we sleep.

Moreover, the majority of the experts claim that blinking with closed eyes is not possible. Because blinking itself means opening and closing the eye. However, you can also close your eyes tighter to protect your eyes from water or bright light, which feels like blinking as you are using the same eye muscle.

What’s the importance of blinking in our lives?

Blinking helps to clean the eyeball’s surface. Most importantly, our eyes need a smooth surface for light to focus correctly so that the vision may become evident. Blinking is a continuous process. You can also blink when you want to. However, excessive blinking is not normal. In addition, it is not possible to blink with closed eyes. Blinking is closing the eyes rapidly for a short interval of time. The majority of experts and doctors believe that blinking is only possible with open eyes.

Moreover, you can blink frequently or slowly, but you cannot blink by closing your eyes. However, you can close your eyes tightly. Still, it is not what we can say blinking because blinking is only possible with open eyes.

Difference between Voluntary and In-voluntary blink

Spontaneous blink

This type of blinking happens automatically, like digestion and breathing. It occurs without any external and internal effort. Generally, these are known as in-voluntary blinks.

Reflex blink

Such a blink occurs in response to an external stimulus. In addition, it happens faster than a spontaneous blink.

Voluntary blink

It is a conscious blink. It uses all 3 divisions of the orbicularis oculi muscle.

What causes frequent blinking?

Sometimes you may frequently blink if there is something in your eye. Conditions such as an ingrown eyelash can make it feel like something in your eyes makes you blink more. Also, pink-eye, allergies, and other types of inflammation can trigger the reflex. Moreover, some people have habitual involuntary movements that make them blink frequently. Also, stress and anxiety can make you blink more. In addition, you may blink more if you have uncorrected vision problems.

Why does a person blink less or slowly?

A person may blink less or slowly because of a damaged facial nerve. Moreover, the facial nerve is responsible for closing the eyelid. Also, medications and fatigue have a similar effect. Moreover, you may blink less when focusing on something like watching a movie. People blink less to strengthen their focus. For example, people are likely to blink at the end of a sentence while reading a book.

Why do people blink?

Experts believe that blinking helps to clear blurry vision and gives the brain a short rest. A study shows that people blink to clean their eyes, which may give a short rest to the brain. One study found that the exact moment of blinking may not be random. We can blink our eyes at very predictable times. For instance, when writing or reading, many people blink at the end of a sentence. When people hear a speech, they blink when the speaker stops between utterances. And when people watch videos, they tend to flicker when there is a temporary delay in motion in the video.

Researchers have also found that when people blink, mental activity increases dramatically in some brain regions that function when the mind is awake. They felt that activation of this part of the brain serves as a brief refresher to help them focus better when they open their eyes.

How long can a person blink?

A blink lasts between 0.1 and 0.4 seconds. Moreover, it takes the average person 400 milliseconds to blink. Many people blink between 10 and 20 times per minute. However, sometimes people blink more or less often due to particular circumstances.

Is it possible to blink with closed eyes?

Blinking is possible with open eyes. The eyes don’t blink while sleeping as they do when awake. Moreover, our eyes blink to protect the eyeballs. Sometimes, the eyeball rolls produce natural physiologic movements in the eyelids when we close our eyes. Many experts have proved that it is not possible to blink with closed eyes. Some experts believe that our eyes lose moisture doesn’t matter they are open or close. Therefore, they still need to flush themselves regularly.

Moreover, blinking is only possible with open eyes. It is not possible to blink with closed eyes. You cannot blink with closed eyes. It is physically impossible.

Summary

It is not possible to blink with closed eyes because blinking is a live process and is only possible with open eyes. Blinking is opening and closing eyes for a short interval of time. Hence, blinking with closed eyes is not possible. We only blink by opening and closing our eyes.