Why Do We Blink?

Studies have shown that on average, humans blink every two to ten seconds. This is an automatic action in order to prevent and protect our eyes from injury. We occasionally blink voluntarily as part of our body language. Such an example is when we wink or "bat an eyelash" to send flirtatious messages to the opposite sex. Animal primates such as the baboon have a white region of the upper eyelid and when they blink, it gestures a threat and signals both an alarm and a warning. Humans have a thin and almost transparent membrane called the conjunctiva which covers the inner surface of the upper and lower eyelids as well as the eyes themselves. The conjunctiva functions to keep the surface of the eye moist which is necessary for proper eye movement. During blinking, the eyelid spreads moist tears over the conjunctiva and also into the corners of the eye.

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