Blinking cleans the ocular surface of debris (cellular, dried tears, and the junk that blows in with the wind) and flushes fresh tears over the ocular surface. This brings nutrients and other substances to the surface structures keeping them healthy. It helps prevent infection and clears and brightens the image received by our retina. It wets the outer eye and in the case of the contact lens wearer, replenishes the tear layer upon which the contact lens floats.