At its most basic level, a blink is a rapid, semi-autonomic closure of the eyelids. While it happens in a fraction of a second—typically between —it is essential for maintaining ocular health.

On average, humans blink 15 to 17 times per minute . However, this rate can drop significantly during focused activities like reading or gaming, which can lead to symptoms of dry eye. Types of Blinks: Spontaneous: Occurring without external stimuli.

Blinking serves to clean the surface of the eye and spread a stable tear film across the cornea, preventing it from drying out.