University Vision Clinic ~ eye care, glasses, contact lenses, optician, ophthalmologist, optometrist, keratoconus

Blinking is Important

The eye lids are natural enemies to the wearing of contact lenses. the function of the eyelid is to sweep out any foreign material and to spread an even layer of tears across the lens at each blink. The contact lens naturally interferes with both of theses functions.

A good contact lens blink is closing the eyes lightly (like your asleep), and whenever possible dropping your gaze downward just prior to blinking.

The poor blinker generally has “red “ eyes because they are not spreading a layer of tears over the eyes rapidly enough. To keep it’s moisture, nature combats this drying effect by bringing blood into the area, which gives the eyes an inflamed look. The good blinker blinks at just about the same frequency as breathing (about 16 times a minute or 15,000 times in a normal 16 hour day).