Editing Blinking (section)

===Adults===
There have been mixed results when studying gender-dependent{{dubious|reason=author may be describing a biological thing, not how societal role affects blinking|date=January 2021}} differences in blinking rates, with results varying from the women's rate nearly doubling the men's to no significant difference between them.<ref>{{cite journal |pmid=12137399 |year=2002 |last1=Doughty |first1=M. J. |title=Further assessment of gender- and blink pattern-related differences in the spontaneous eyeblink activity in primary gaze in young adult humans |journal=[[Optometry and Vision Science]] |publisher=[[American Academy of Optometry]] |volume=79 |issue=7 |pages=439–47 |doi=10.1097/00006324-200207000-00013|s2cid=24140202 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1111/j.1475-1313.2008.00577.x |pmid=18565090 |title=Spontaneous blinking in healthy persons: An optoelectronic study of eyelid motion |journal=Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics |volume=28 |issue=4 |pages=345–53 |year=2008 |last1=Sforza |first1=Chiarella |last2=Rango |first2=Mario |last3=Galante |first3=Domenico |last4=Bresolin |first4=Nereo |last5=Ferrario |first5=Virgilio F. |s2cid=542559 }}</ref>  In addition, women using [[oral contraceptives]] blink 32% more often than other women on average for unknown reasons.<ref name="pmid7822673">{{Cite journal
| last1 = Yolton | first1 = D. P.
| last2 = Yolton | first2 = R. L.
| last3 = López | first3 = R.
| last4 = Bogner | first4 = B.
| last5 = Stevens | first5 = R.
| last6 = Rao | first6 = D.
| title = The effects of gender and birth control pill use on spontaneous blink rates
| journal = [[Journal of the American Optometric Association]]
| volume = 65
| issue = 11
| pages = 763–70
| year = 1994
| pmid = 7822673
}}</ref> Generally, between each blink is an interval of 2–10 seconds; actual rates vary by individual, averaging around 17 blinks per minute in a laboratory setting. However, when the eyes are focused on an object for an extended period of time, such as when reading, the rate of blinking decreases to about 4 to 5 times per minute.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Bentivoglio|first1=A. R.|last2=Bressman|first2=S. B.|last3=Cassetta|first3=E.|last4=Carretta|first4=D.|last5=Tonali|first5=P.|last6=Albanese|first6=A.|s2cid=12607655|date=November 1997|title=Analysis of blink rate patterns in normal subjects|journal=Movement Disorders|volume=12|issue=6|pages=1028–1034|doi=10.1002/mds.870120629|issn=0885-3185|pmid=9399231}}</ref> This is the major reason that eyes dry out and become fatigued when reading.

When the eyes dry out or become fatigued due to reading on a computer screen, it can be an indication of [[computer vision syndrome]]. Computer vision syndrome can be prevented by taking regular breaks, focusing on objects far from the screen, having a well-lit workplace, or using a blink reminder application. Studies suggest<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=修|first1=福島|last2=正男|first2=斎藤|date=1998-03-31|title=バイオフィードバック法による瞬目の訓練|journal=バイオフィードバック研究|language=ja|volume=25|doi=10.20595/jjbf.25.0_17|issn=0386-1856}}</ref> that adults can learn to maintain a healthy blinking rate while reading or looking at a computer screen using [[biofeedback]].

Eye blinking can be a criterion for diagnosing medical conditions. For example, excessive blinking may help to indicate the onset of [[Tourette syndrome]], [[stroke]]s or disorders of the [[nervous system]]. A reduced rate of blinking is associated with [[Parkinson's disease]].