Why do we have eyelashes? What purpose do they serve?

As long as you've got eyes, you would see eyelashes everyday. Are they there for fancy or they actually serve a purpose?



A group of researchers went searching for use of eyelashes. Before their research, there have been medical studies which suggested that eyelashes can prevent the transfer of infection and allergens to the eye, although a clear mechanism does not exist. The American Optometric Association, also concluded that two medical ailments alopecia and madarosis, or the lack of eyelashes, have been correlated with higher rates of infection of the eye.

In this study, the researchers investigates how eyelashes affect incoming airflows.

After studying human and animal eyelashes, the discovered that eyelashes, which used to be known as mechanical sensors and sunshades, actually act as air filters for the eye.

They also found that short eyelashes do a better job at diverting airflow and protecting the eyes, than long lashes  and no eyelashes at all.

The full study is here.