Dry eye disease is a common condition affecting millions worldwide. It is characterized by insufficient tear production or excessive tear evaporation, resulting in ocular discomfort, irritation, and visual disturbances. Modern lifestyle factors—including prolonged screen use, environmental exposure, and inadequate blinking—are key contributors to the increasing prevalence of dry eyes. Additionally, dry eyes may develop as a secondary consequence of neurological events, such as concussions, which can disrupt normal blink patterns and ocular surface regulation.
Recent research has identified targeted blinking exercises as an effective, non-invasive intervention for improving both the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease. In 2025, an updated blinking protocol was published, providing a structured approach to strengthening eyelid muscles and promoting complete, healthy blinking, addressing both upper and lower eyelid function.
The Importance of Blinking
Blinking is a complex, involuntary action that serves several critical physiological functions:
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Lubrication: Blinking distributes tears evenly across the ocular surface, preventing dryness and reducing friction between the eyelid and cornea.
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Protection: The blink reflex shields the cornea from dust, debris, and environmental irritants, reducing the risk of injury or infection.
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Nourishment: Tears carry essential nutrients and oxygen to the corneal epithelium, supporting cellular health and repair.
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Tear Film Maintenance: Blinking helps stabilize the tear film, minimizing tear evaporation and maintaining a smooth optical surface for clear vision.
Inadequate blinking, particularly incomplete or reduced blink rates, contributes to tear film instability, increased ocular surface exposure, and subsequent discomfort. This is particularly evident among individuals engaging in prolonged near work, such as computer or smartphone use, where blink frequency may decrease by up to 50%. Over time, reduced or incomplete blinking can lead to chronic eye irritation, blurred vision, increased visual fatigue, and even headaches.
Who Can Benefit from Blinking Exercises?
The updated 2025 protocol is appropriate for individuals experiencing:
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Chronic dry eye symptoms, including burning, itching, grittiness, or intermittent blurred vision
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Digital eye strain associated with prolonged screen use
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Neurologically-mediated blink disruption, such as post-concussion dry eyes
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Incomplete blinking habits or eyelid muscle weakness
While dry eyes are commonly associated with screen use, they may also appear in patients recovering from concussions. Neurological disruption can alter blink mechanics, reducing blink frequency or completeness and exacerbating ocular surface dryness. Early intervention with targeted blinking exercises can help restore normal blink patterns, improve ocular surface lubrication, and reduce symptoms of discomfort and visual fatigue.
The 2025 Blinking Exercise Protocol
The updated protocol emphasizes controlled, complete blinking and strengthens both the upper and lower portions of the orbicularis oculi muscle. Correct execution is critical to avoid unnecessary facial tension or strain. The steps are as follows:
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Full Eye Closure: Close the eyes gently and hold for 2 seconds, avoiding engagement of the forehead, cheeks, or nose. This ensures proper activation of the eyelid muscles without creating facial tension.
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Gentle Eyelid Squeeze: Squeeze the eyelids closed for 2 seconds to further activate the orbicularis oculi muscle. Avoid scrunching surrounding facial muscles, which can reduce effectiveness.
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Controlled Squint (Dazzle Eyes Movement): Perform a controlled squint for 2 seconds, targeting the lower eyelid muscle to improve complete blink function.
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Fox Eye Movement: Place fingers gently at the outer upper eyelids and elevate slightly while blinking slowly. This isolates the lower orbicularis oculi, promoting balanced eyelid muscle activity and improving tear distribution across the ocular surface.
Frequency: Perform the four steps for five rounds, ideally five times daily (morning, breakfast, lunch, dinner, and bedtime). Clinical evidence indicates that this frequency can improve tear film stability, reduce incomplete blinks, and alleviate discomfort in as little as three days.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
For optimal results, it is important to avoid the following common errors:
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Scrunching the face: Engaging the forehead, nose, or cheeks can strain muscles unnecessarily and reduce the effectiveness of the blink exercise.
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Rushing the exercises: Each blink should be deliberate, with proper pause times for full eyelid engagement.
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Skipping sessions: Consistency is essential; missing exercises reduces effectiveness.
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Neglecting posture and screen ergonomics: Poor posture can indirectly affect blink quality and contribute to ocular strain.
Clinical Benefits
Implementing the 2025 blinking protocol has demonstrated measurable benefits for patients with dry eyes, including:
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Improved tear film stability: Reduces evaporation and improves ocular lubrication.
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Enhanced blink completeness: Strengthens both upper and lower eyelid muscles, ensuring more effective eye closure.
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Reduced ocular discomfort: Decreases burning, irritation, and visual fatigue associated with dry eyes.
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Support for post-concussion dry eyes: Encourages normal blinking mechanics in patients with neurological disruptions, aiding ocular surface recovery.
Even brief, consistent adherence can yield clinically meaningful improvements, making this an accessible, non-invasive intervention for a wide range of patients.
Integrating Blinking Exercises into Daily Routine
Consistency and mindful practice are key to achieving benefits. Strategies to facilitate adherence include:
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Incorporating exercises into existing routines, such as meals or transitions between tasks
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Using digital reminders or apps to prompt breaks and blinking sessions
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Practicing in combination with ergonomic screen adjustments and posture optimization
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Staying hydrated to support overall ocular and tear film health
Patients with post-concussion dry eyes may notice improvements in both comfort and visual clarity when these exercises are combined with general neurological and ocular rehabilitation strategies.
Conclusion
The updated 2025 blinking protocol offers a clinically validated, non-invasive approach to managing dry eyes. By strengthening eyelid muscles and promoting complete blinking, patients can improve tear film stability, reduce ocular discomfort, and restore normal blinking patterns, even in cases of neurologically-mediated disruption such as post-concussion dry eyes.
Whether your dry eyes are caused by prolonged screen use, a concussion, or other contributing factors, incorporating these exercises consistently can be an effective step toward improved ocular health and daily visual comfort.
References
Allen, J. (2025, February 8). Blinking exercises for dry eye (Updated protocol) [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVGFFHyRCGQ
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