Health professionals will often warn us to be on the lookout for symptoms of various conditions, but there's one warning sign you might not have considered could actually be something serious.
With both summer heat and high pollen counts causing eye irritation, you might find yourself blinking more than usual – but how much is too much?
Excessive blinking can actually be a sign of an underlying issue, according to Nimmi Mistry, a professional services optician at Vision Direct.
The trick is knowing when is "too much", knowing that that symptom could be trying to tell you, and when it might require a trip to the GP.
How much blinking is normal?
How much blinking is normal depends on our age, according to Nimmi.
She said: "New-born babies only blink about two times per minute, but by the time you're an adult, this increases to 14 to 17 times per minute and then stays around this number for the rest of your life.
"Blinking patterns can change with certain situations, for example, it may slow during periods of focus and speed up when you're in a stressful situation. Excessive blinking is therefore categorised as frequent rapid blinking which may interfere with your daily life, activities, or vision."
What are the potential causes of excessive blinking?
Nimmi said: "The good news is that most of the issues which cause excessive blinking aren't serious and, in many cases, will either resolve on their own or require minimum treatment. Some, however, can lead to eye health complications if not addressed quickly."
Here are the potential causes of excessive blinking:
- Hay fever
If you're blinking a lot you could be suffering from hay fever, which is an allergic reaction to pollen. Other symptoms include sneezing, runny nose, and headache.
The pollen also irritates your eyes which can cause you to blink more.
- Dry eyes
Dryness can lead to your eyes feeling sore, watery, and gritty, and any problems with the eyes can lead to increased blinking to soothe symptoms.
Nimmi added: "Dry eyes may not sound very serious but if left untreated, severe dry eye may lead to eye inflammation, abrasion of the corneal surface, corneal ulcers, and complications with the quality of your vision."
- Corneal abrasion (or other eye injury)
A corneal abrasion is a small scratch on the cornea, which can be caused by something as simple as a fingernail or grit.
These injuries can be painful, but it usually starts to subside as the scratch heals.
However, if the pain increases or you're experiencing extreme sensitivity or a decline in vision, you should seek medical advice urgently.
- Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis, or pink eye, is an inflammation or infection of the thin, mucus membrane that covers the white part of the eye.
- Blepharitis
Blepharitis causes inflammation of the eyelids that can lead to blurring of your vision, redness, and itching. It can also result in increased blinking.
- Eye strain
Eye strain often occurs after prolonged periods of visual activities such as reading or using a smartphone.
It can cause a number of symptoms, from fatigue, dryness, blurred vision, and excessive blinking.
- Vision problems
Undiagnosed visual problems can also lead to excessive blinking. If you're experiencing this, you should see an optician for an eye test.
- Fatigue
When we're tired the muscles responsible for controlling the eyes may also become fatigued. Blinking can sometimes help relieve any discomfort.
If you're worried about any of these symptoms, it's always best to contact your GP.
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