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What is the Blink Reflex?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

The blink reflex is a reflex which is designed to naturally protect the eyes. Most animals with eyes have some form of this reflex, and the reflex is present from the time that an animal first opens its eyes. Abnormalities in this reflex can indicate that there is a neurological problem and may increase the risk of incurring eye damage because the eyes are no longer able to protect themselves reflexively.

Reflexes are involuntary actions. They allow the body to react very quickly to potentially dangerous situations by taking defensive action of some form. In the case of the blink reflex, the blink is often over before someone is consciously aware that there was a risk. There are many other reflexes which appear at different stages of development.

The blink reflex naturally protects the eyes.
The blink reflex naturally protects the eyes.

Several different stimuli can trigger this reflex. Anything which touches the cornea will cause someone to blink, and people usually blink when objects appear to be on a collision course with the eye, as for example when something is thrown in the direction of someone's head. Very bright light also stimulates the blink reflex, as do loud noises.

Multiple cranial nerves are involved in the process of blinking, as is the brainstem. In a healthy person, the blink reflex appears in both eyes. If both eyes fail to blink, it can mean that there is a problem with one of the cranial nerves or the brainstem which is inhibiting the normal processing of the reflex. If someone fails to respond at all to a stimulus which should elicit a blink, or responds slowly, it is also a sign of a neurological issue.

Anything that touches the cornea will cause someone to blink.
Anything that touches the cornea will cause someone to blink.

Neurological exams can include a quick assessment of the blink reflex to see how a patient responds to stimuli. This can be part of the process of checking on a patient who is believed to be nonresponsive or in a coma as well, because the reflex should kick in unless a patient has severe damage to the brainstem. It is also possible to assess the blink reflex in a test which involves placing electrodes around the eyes and providing very mild electrical stimulation while recording the responses.

Multiple cranial nerves are involved in the process of blinking, as is the brainstem.
Multiple cranial nerves are involved in the process of blinking, as is the brainstem.

Teachers introducing children to reflexes in biology classes often use the blink reflex as an example because it is easy to demonstrate. One way to demonstrate the reflex is to position a student behind a clear barrier and to throw a lightweight soft object like a cotton ball or a wad of paper at the barrier. The student will usually blink even though she or he is safe behind the barrier because the eye perceives the approaching object as a threat.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a TheHealthBoard researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a TheHealthBoard researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

Populartesi
Are there some people out there who are more sensitive to the blink reflex? Meaning, that when performing the blink reflex demonstration (mentioned in the last paragraph of the article) are there some people that might only blink once while there are some that are prone to blinking multiple times?

If so, does that mean that there are neurological differences between the person who might only blink once and someone who may continue to blink several times even after the object has been thrown?

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    • The blink reflex naturally protects the eyes.
      By: Pavel Losevsky
      The blink reflex naturally protects the eyes.
    • Anything that touches the cornea will cause someone to blink.
      By: stockshoppe
      Anything that touches the cornea will cause someone to blink.
    • Multiple cranial nerves are involved in the process of blinking, as is the brainstem.
      By: arkela
      Multiple cranial nerves are involved in the process of blinking, as is the brainstem.
    • An abnormal blink reflex may signal an underlying neurological problem.
      By: FotolEdhar
      An abnormal blink reflex may signal an underlying neurological problem.
    • In some cases, an optometrist may test the blink reflex during an eye exam in order to rule out neurological causes of a symptom.
      By: Monkey Business
      In some cases, an optometrist may test the blink reflex during an eye exam in order to rule out neurological causes of a symptom.
    • Blinking when an object is close to one's eyes is a reflex action.
      By: Jasmin Merdan
      Blinking when an object is close to one's eyes is a reflex action.