Why Do We Blink and What Happens When We Don’t?

Blinking is like giving your eyes a little nap. Every time you blink, your eyelids sweep across your eyes, cleaning away tiny bits of dust and dirt that get in the way of seeing clearly. If we don’t blink for too long, say, while we’re focused on something like reading or watching TV, our eyes can feel dry and tired because they're not getting their little nap anymore.

When you blink, your eyes are protected from things that could make them uncomfortable. It’s kind of like a built-in shield for your eyes. You don’t have to think about it, your brain handles it automatically.

If we stop blinking for too long, our eyes might feel scratchy or tired. That's why when you're really focused on something, like a video game or a book, sometimes your eyes start to feel dry and sore.