What is Blink Frequency?

One thing that an eye doctor in Miami Beach often has to tell their patients about is blink frequency. The number of times a person blinks per minute is known as blink frequency, and it’s important for some people to be aware of. For example, someone who works on a computer all day long likely has a lower blink frequency than someone who doesn’t stare at a digital screen for hours at a time. This is unhealthy because blinking is supposed to coat the surface of the eyes with tears to keep them lubricated. If someone isn’t blinking as often as they should be, then they need to speak with their Miami Beach eye doctor to find out what they can do about this problem.

Why Does Blink Frequency Matter?

Some people think that it doesn’t really matter how often they blink, but this isn’t true. People blink anywhere from 1-60 times per minute, and it’s important for the health of the eye. A Miami eye doctor may have to prescribe someone with a low blink frequency special drops to keep their eyes lubricated properly.

● Blinking too often can cause people to feel fatigued all the time. While they won’t actually be tired, they will experience a sleepiness because their eyelids are heavier than they should be.

● People who don’t blink enough are prone to developing dry eye. Dry eye can lead to chronic dry eye, which is a condition that needs to be treated before it can cause infections and swelling to happen.

● The average number of blinks per minute is around 30 for most people, though it can still be less or more and a person be healthy. People with naturally thick tears that coat their eyes may only blink 15 times per minute, but it’s okay because their eyes are still properly lubricated.

What Can Be Done About Blink Frequency Problems?

There aren’t too many things that can be done about actually blinking the eyes, but there are ways to treat the problems that can arise from blink frequency issues. Those who aren’t blinking enough will likely need special eye drops that will thicken their natural tears. This will help their eyes remain moist and prevent symptoms of dry eye. Also, some people who are prescribed eyeglasses in Miami Beach may need to consider wearing contacts if they are not blinking enough. The glasses act as a natural barrier to the eye and may prevent people from blinking as often as they should, in which case contacts of prescription drops can be useful.

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