Blinking is a natural response to all kinds of situations. However, if you find yourself blinking constantly, this may be a sign of an underlying issue that needs to be addressed. Many eye conditions develop slowly and subtly, but they can have significant long-term effects if you don’t deal with the problem.
Some common reasons why you may be blinking so much include:
- Eye strain
- Dry eye
- Allergies
- Blepharitis
- Facial tics
If you find yourself constantly blinking, visit your optometrist for a comprehensive eye exam.
Eye Strain
If you’ve found yourself blinking more often when using screens, you may be dealing with a condition called digital eye strain. Prolonged screen usage can stress the tiny muscles used to control your eyes, and this, in turn, can cause discomfort and soreness. You may feel as though your eyes are heavier than normal, or as though you simply can’t get comfortable at your desk due to shoulder and neck pain.
Fortunately, digital eye strain is also easily preventable, and all you need to do is make some adjustments. Try to:
- Follow the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and focus on something 20 feet away to relax your eyes.
- Adjust your screen settings. Change text size, brightness, and contrast to make the screen more readable.
- Make sure your workspace is well-lit. Poor lighting can cause eye strain.
These simple strategies can often make a significant difference. If you find yourself still blinking too often, visit your optometrist to discuss a more personalized approach.
Dry Eye
Every time you blink, you disperse a thin film of tears evenly over the surface of your eye. However, what if these tears aren’t properly doing their job? This is a common problem, and it’s called dry eye.
When your eyes don’t produce enough tears, or aren’t producing the right quality of tears, they can easily become dried out and irritated. You’ll likely notice:
- A gritty or sandy feeling in the eyes
- Burning or stinging sensations
- Red, inflamed eyes
- Blurred or fluctuating vision
- Increased sensitivity to light
- Difficulty wearing contact lenses
These symptoms all cause you to blink more often, though doing so rarely solves the underlying cause. If you constantly deal with stinging and burning sensations, it’s time to think about trying dry eye therapy.
Allergies
If you suffer from allergies, you’ve likely noticed that your eyes are easily irritated during an allergic response. Your immune system goes into overdrive trying to flush away the allergen, and, although this is effective, it often leads to unwanted symptoms in sensitive areas like your eyes.
Allergens like pollen, dust, and pet dander can irritate your eyes, prompting them to blink more as a defense mechanism. This helps to clear away irritants and keep your eyes comfortable, and it’s often a subconscious response.
Fortunately, you can effectively manage most allergies by:
- Identifying and avoiding allergens
- Using antihistamines when needed
- Applying cold compresses to soothe your eyes
- Keeping your environment clean
- Using allergic eye drops to find relief
This can help prevent the onset of allergic responses to help you slow your habitual blinking.
Blepharitis
Blepharitis is a common condition closely linked to inflammation of the eyelids. It often results from clogged oil glands near the base of the eyelashes, leading to red, swollen eyelids. Blepharitis is often caused by a bacterial buildup or tiny mites living on the surface of your skin.
Blepharitis can often lead to frequent blinking as you subconsciously try to find relief from inflammation and irritation. Fortunately, blepharitis is a treatable condition; you can use warm compresses or eye drops as needed to find relief.
If you’ve noticed visible redness, swelling, or extremely watery eyes, you’re likely dealing with blepharitis and should visit your optometrist as soon as you can. They can examine the area to give you a proper diagnosis, and will likely be able to provide you with antibiotic eye drops or ointments to effectively manage your condition.
Facial Tics
Sometimes, things are out of our control. Some people find themselves dealing with facial tics—involuntary muscle movements—that cause a blink in response. These can range in severity; some are barely noticeable while others are extremely disruptive.
Facial tics often develop due to stress, anxiety, or caffeine, and often involve squinting and twitching around the eyes. Fortunately, tics are often temporary and aren’t harmful. However, if you notice that they’re interfering with your quality of life, visit a healthcare professional to determine if something else is going on.
When to Visit Your Optometrist
If you’re blinking more than normal, don’t ignore this symptom. There are plenty of common causes of excessive blinking, and they can be difficult to self-diagnose without the help of an experienced team like ours. Book an appointment with our team at Dr. Taylor Bladh, O.D., and take your first step back toward comfortable vision.
