Dear Doctors column April 16, 2007
Excessive Blinking May Be Sign of Dry Eyes
Question:
My boyfriend blinks a lot. I asked him about it and he says he thinks it’s caused by his contacts, but it is something he rarely notices. Is it normal for contacts to cause excessive blinking or could this be a sign of a serious problem?
Answer:
People typically blink about every 10 seconds to keep eyes moist. A blink spreads tears and other natural moisturizers across the eye surface and also helps keep eyes clear of dust and other airborne irritants. Fatigue, eye injuries, and some medications and medical conditions can change the rate at which a person blinks.
In contact lens wearers whose blinking pattern has not changed recently, one of the most common causes of excessive blinking is dry eyes. Contacts can disturb the production of tears and other natural eye lubricants and lead to uncomfortable, dry eyes, a condition known as dry eye syndrome. Regularly working on a computer or reading for long periods can compound dry eye issues, as people tend to blink less when they are performing tasks that require long periods of visual focus and concentration. When eyes are dry and noticeably uncomfortable, people often blink more in an attempt to restore moisture. Dry eyes also can cause burning, stinging, redness, tearing, blurred vision, and a sensation of having something in one’s eye.
Keeping eyes moist is one of the best ways to stave off eye irritation and excessive blinking. Artificial tears ease eye dryness. Look for drops that are preservative-free as these additives can cause irritation in people with sensitive eyes. If you were contacts, check to label to make sure the product is safe for use with contact lenses; many artificial tears solutions are not.
Frequently replacing used lenses with fresh ones and properly cleaning contacts, which keeps them free from irritating buildup, also can prevent dry eyes. Your boyfriend also can try rewetting his lenses throughout the day ─ soaking lenses for few minutes often allows comfortable wear for many hours.
Breathable, or permeable, lenses, may help. Studies suggest they are more comfortable for people with moderate dry eye syndrome. Prescription anti-inflammatory eye drops often can relieve more severe dry eye symptoms.
Although permeable lenses, artificial tears, and more attention to lens care may improve symptoms of dry eyes in contact lens wearers, some people with the condition may find the irritation and other problems can only be solved by giving up their contact lenses for glasses.
Occasionally excessive blinking is a sign of an underlying medical condition such as Parkinson’s disease. With this kind of blinking, called blepharospasm, the eyes often squeeze shut forcefully, and these blinks may occur along with other facial contortions.
Your boyfriend should consider asking his ophthalmologist or other eye care professional to evaluate him for conditions that can cause excessive blinking and particularly for dry eye syndrome, which, with the widespread use of computers, is an extremely common problem.