Blinking is both a voluntary and involuntary action, meaning you can blink whenever you want to, but you also blink without even thinking about it.

Eyelashes also help to protect the eyes, just like umbrellas.

Did you know that the average person blinks twelve times a minute every single minute that you’re awake? That’s an average of 9000 times a day or 4 million times a year!

Because it’s a reflex action, that’s one that your body does all by itself, you mostly don’t even realise you’re doing it!

Another way your eyes keep themselves clean is by watering when there’s something getting in the way like dust or an eyelash.

Next: Why do we cry?

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