In the blink of an eye

Have you ever wondered why you blink your eyes? If you haven’t, here’s some food for thought. Blinking our eyes automatically supplies them with moisture. In fact, blinking acts like oil would if used on dry skin. Blinking is so fast that the motion does not impair our vision. It lasts only one tenth of a second — all the time needed to clear away those dust particles and to spread lubricating fluids across the eyeball.
Amazing isn’t it? Think about it. One blink later and your eyes are moistened! Our eyelids can be likened to "wind-shield wipers." Their rims are lined with 20-30 sebaceous, oil-producing glands, which are located between our eyelashes, and are invisible to the naked eye. Our eyelids draw on a fluid from the tear duct over our eyeballs to moisturise our eyes. This same fluid flows copiously when we cry.
But apart from keeping our eyes from drying out, blinking also helps to keep the foreign bodies out. Blinking also keeps your eyes safe from situations where you have to confront harsh, bright lights. Blinking causes our eyelids to lower and with this motion our eyelashes serve as dust-catchers. If you look at the camel, for example, you will find that it has huge, thick curly eyelashes. That’s because the camel, also known as the Ship of the Desert, needs protection against the frequent dust storms that it may encounter on its journey through the desert.
And last but not least if you’ve ever wondered why the world around you does not go dark every time you blink, scientists have discovered that the human brain ignores what it perceives to be a momentary blackout.
And now for some interesting expressions associated with the eyes:
* Shalini is the ‘apple of her father’s eye’ (a cherished person).
* My mother did not ‘bat an eyelash’ when we told her we were going to be home late (show surprise).
* We couldn’t ‘believe our eyes’ when we saw our teacher at the party (believe what one sees).
* I tried to ‘catch Anil’s eye’ at the party but he did not see me (attract one’s attention).
* His ‘eyes were bigger than his stomach’ when he went to the restaurant and ordered too much food (take more than what you can eat).
* The teacher has ‘eyes in the back of her head’ and always knows what is going on in the classroom (ability to know what happens when one’s back is turned).
There are many more ‘eye’ idioms like these. Why don’t you see how many you know?

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