Why do we blink?

            Blinking helps to keep the eye lubricated and also to sweep away foreign particles. Lubrication helps maintain the transparency of the cornea – the transparent outer layer in front of the eyeball. Along the edge of each eyelid are tiny glands that release a watery fluid each time the eyelid closes. Each time one blinks, the tear glands also release some fluids. The fluids flush out the eye and also keep it moist. A sudden movement in front of the eye also makes one blink. This has protective value. It has been estimated that an average person blinks about 250 million times in a lifetime.