Right now, as you read this, you're probably forgetting to do something your body does automatically thousands of times a day: blink. If you're at a computer, your blink rate has likely plummeted from the normal 15-20 times per minute down to a measly 7 times per minute—or even fewer.

This isn't just trivia. It's the reason your eyes feel like sandpaper after a few hours of work.

Your Eyes' Built-In Windshield Wipers

Every blink spreads a fresh layer of tears across your cornea, keeping your eyes moist, comfortable, and clear. Think of it as your body's windshield wiper and lubrication system rolled into one. When you're engaged in conversation, you blink about 32 times per minute. But stare at a screen? That rate can drop to as low as 4-6 blinks per minute in some studies—a staggering 66% reduction.

The culprit is concentration. When you're focused on reading, writing emails, or hunting for typos in a spreadsheet, your brain essentially tells your eyelids to take a break. You also tend to keep your eyes wider open when staring at screens, which increases the surface area exposed to air.

Welcome to Desert Eye Syndrome

Here's what happens when you're not blinking enough:

Dry eye: Your tear film evaporates faster than it's replenished
Eye strain: Your eyes work harder to maintain focus without proper lubrication
Blurry vision: An unstable tear film distorts your view
Irritation and redness: Your eyes become inflamed from dryness

Some people develop what's called computer vision syndrome—a collection of eye and vision problems caused by prolonged screen use. Beyond reduced blinking, you're also dealing with glare, poor posture, and the constant close-up focus that your eyes weren't really designed for.

The 20-20-20 Rule (And Actually Blinking)

The most evidence-based fix is stupidly simple: remember to blink. Seriously. Make a conscious effort to blink fully and frequently while working. Set a sticky note on your monitor that says "BLINK" if you have to.

Pair that with the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. This gives your eye muscles a break from constant close-up focus and usually triggers more natural blinking.

Eye drops can help, but frequent use of preserved drops can actually irritate your eyes further. If you need them often, switch to preservative-free artificial tears.

It's Not the Blue Light

Despite what every blue-light-blocking glasses ad wants you to believe, the strain isn't primarily about blue light. It's about how you use screens: reduced blinking, prolonged focus, poor ergonomics, and screen glare. Adjust your monitor height (top of screen at or below eye level), reduce glare, and take breaks. Your windshield wipers will thank you.

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