The Effects and Risks of Going 108 Days Without Blinking

The Challenge of Going 108 Days Without Blinking

Blinking is an essential, automatic function that moistens our eyes and protects them from drying out. Most people blink around 15 to 20 times per minute, which equates to over 10,000 times per day! So the idea of intentionally going 108 straight days without blinking seems extreme, if not impossible.

Recently, a social media user claiming to have gone 14 days without blinking made the rounds online. While some were skeptical, it launched discussions about just how long the human body could theoretically go without blinking and what effects this could have.

How Long Can People Go Without Blinking?

The world record for intentional abstinence from blinking is held by a man named Sridhar Chillal from India, who did not blink for 45 minutes and 5 seconds. For most people, going even a few minutes without blinking would be very challenging.

We blink less frequently when our eyes are focused on a fixed point. Activities like staring at a computer screen or reading decrease blink rate. But going days, weeks or months without blinking is not feasible or healthy.

The Importance of Blinking

Blinking lubricates the eyes by spreading tears across the surface of the eye. Tears contain oils, water and mucus that nourish the cornea. Without sufficient blinking, the eyes become dry and irritated. Blinking also helps sweep away debris and foreign particles that may get into the eyes.

In addition to lubrication, blinking protects the eyes by providing periods of darkness. Constant visual stimulation without breaks can exhaust the photoreceptors in the eyes. The momentary blackouts from blinking give the photoreceptors a chance to refresh.

Blinking facilitates healthy eye function. Infrequent blinking is a common cause of computer vision syndrome. Making an effort to blink regularly when looking at screens can help reduce associated eye strain and headaches.

What Would Happen If You Stopped Blinking for 108 Days?

Going over 100 days without blinking would wreak havoc on the eyes. Some consequences could include:

• Dry eyes - Insufficient tear production and lubrication would quickly lead to irritation and discomfort.
• Corneal damage - Without adequate moisture, the cornea could become injured and develop ulcers or scars.
• Infection - Bacteria, viruses and other microbes could more easily invade the eye without the protective benefits of blinking.
• Vision changes - Blurred vision, light sensitivity, eye fatigue and headaches are likely to occur with prolonged lack of blinking.
• Tearing - The eyes may try to overcompensate for the lack of blinking by tearing up. Excessive tearing can occur even with dry eyes.
• Eyelid spasms - The muscles controlling the eyelids could go into spasm after such an unusually long period without blinking.

The eyes would become extremely bloodshot and uncomfortable. Corneal damage from inadequate lubrication and infection could potentially lead to permanent vision impairment or blindness if left untreated. It’s likely that involuntarily blinking would eventually override conscious efforts to abstain once irritation reached intolerable levels. Therefore, making it 108 days without blinking could jeopardize eye health.

Tips for Managing a Temporary Reduction in Blinking

While totally eliminating blinking for 108 days is inadvisable, some situations may call for temporarily limiting blinking as much as possible. Here are some tips for managing reduced blinking:

• Use artificial tears - Applying lubricating eye drops can help supplement natural tearing when blinks are infrequent.
• Wear goggles - Goggles seal moisture around the eyes, mimicking a longer blink.
• Take breaks - Rest the eyes periodically by looking away from visual stimuli. Close the eyes for an extended blink every few minutes.
• Blink consciously - Make an effort to blink more often when doing fixed gaze activities like computer work.
• Limit exposure - Reduce time spent performing intensive visual tasks that inhibit blinking.
• Boost humidity - Dry environments increase tear evaporation, so use a humidifier.
• Avoid irritants - Things like smoke or dust can aggravate eyes already lacking sufficient moisture.

Intentionally limiting blinking should only be done with ophthalmologist guidance and close monitoring of the eyes for damage. While an interesting challenge, abstaining from this important bodily reflex for over 100 days could have severe consequences.

The Bottom Line

Going 108 days without blinking is unrealistic and incredibly risky for eye health. Blinking spreads crucial tears across the surface of the eyes, keeping them properly lubricated. It also allows the photoreceptors to briefly recharge. Given the dangers, making a conscious effort to go over 100 days without blinking is inadvisable.

For those attempting shorter term reductions in blinking, steps like using artificial tears, taking breaks and blinking consciously can help protect eye health. But extended absence of blinking would inevitably take a devastating toll on the eyes. Overall, this important automatic function should be appreciated, not resisted.

FAQs

How long can the average person go without blinking?

Most people naturally blink 15-20 times per minute. The world record for intentional abstinence from blinking is 45 minutes and 5 seconds.

What happens if you don't blink for a long time?

Effects of not blinking include dry eyes, corneal damage, eye infections, blurred vision, light sensitivity, eye strain, headaches, excessive tearing, and eyelid spasms.

Why is blinking important for eye health?

Blinking spreads tears across the eyes, keeping them lubricated and moisturized. It also allows the photoreceptors in the eyes to briefly recharge.

Can you train yourself to blink less frequently?

Focusing visually on a fixed point can reduce blink rate, but eliminating blinking for more than a few minutes is challenging. Intentionally limiting blinking long-term is unsafe.

What can you do to manage infrequent blinking?

Use artificial tears, take eye breaks, blink consciously, limit visual tasks, use a humidifier, and avoid irritants. Seek medical advice before attempting to reduce blinking.