Department of Ophthalmology, New Zealand National Eye Centre, The University of Auckland, New Zealand.
Department of Ophthalmology, New Zealand National Eye Centre, The University of Auckland, New Zealand; School of Optometry and Vision Science, New Zealand National Eye Centre, The University of Auckland, New Zealand.
Cont Lens Anterior Eye. 2021 Jun;44(3):101329. doi: 10.1016/j.clae.2020.04.014. Epub 2020 May 12.
Dry eye disease (DED) is an important public health concern given its increasing prevalence and impact on patient quality of life. Blinking frequency and completeness are reduced during digital screen exposure, compromising meibum secretion and distribution, causing tear film instability and leading to DED. This study evaluated the effects of blinking exercises on blink pattern and clinical signs and symptoms of DED.
Fifty-four participants with dry eye symptoms received instructions to perform a ten-second cycle of blinking exercises every 20 min during waking hours for four weeks. Symptoms were assessed using the 5-item Dry Eye Questionnaire (DEQ-5) and Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI); blinking patterns measured with the TearScience LipiView II; and tear film and ocular surface parameters assessed with the Oculus Keratograph 5M. Measures at baseline and on day 28 were compared.
Forty-one participants completed the study, reporting an average of 25.6 daily blinking exercise cycles. Improvements were noted in DEQ-5 (from 11 ± 4 to 7 ± 3; p < 0.001), OSDI (36 ± 18 to 22 ± 17; p < 0.001), non-invasive tear film breakup time (6.5 ± 2.4 to 8.1 ± 4.8 s; p < 0.04), the proportion of incomplete blinks (54 ± 36 to 34 ± 29 %; p < 0.001), but not in tear meniscus height or tear film lipid layer thickness.
Blinking exercises can modify poor blinking patterns and improve dry eye symptomology, with modest changes in objective measures of tear film quality. Incorporating such routines into clinical care recommendations may improve blinking habits and help protect against the impact of digital device use on tear film quality and DED onset and evolution.
干眼症（DED）是一个重要的公共卫生关注点，因为它的发病率不断增加，并且对患者的生活质量有影响。在使用数字屏幕时，眨眼频率和完整性会降低，从而影响睑脂的分泌和分布，导致泪膜不稳定，引发 DED。本研究评估了眨眼练习对眨眼模式和 DED 的临床症状和体征的影响。
54 名有干眼症状的参与者接受了在清醒时每 20 分钟进行十秒周期眨眼练习的指导，为期四周。使用干眼问卷（DEQ-5）和眼表疾病指数（OSDI）评估症状；使用 TearScience LipiView II 测量眨眼模式；使用 Oculus Keratograph 5M 评估泪膜和眼表参数。比较基线和第 28 天的测量值。
41 名参与者完成了研究，报告平均每天进行 25.6 次眨眼练习。DEQ-5（从 11 ± 4 降至 7 ± 3；p < 0.001）、OSDI（从 36 ± 18 降至 22 ± 17；p < 0.001）、非侵入性泪膜破裂时间（从 6.5 ± 2.4 增至 8.1 ± 4.8 s；p < 0.04）、不完全眨眼的比例（从 54 ± 36%降至 34 ± 29%；p < 0.001）均有所改善，但泪膜新月高度和泪膜脂质层厚度没有变化。
眨眼练习可以改变不良的眨眼模式，并改善干眼症状，对泪膜质量的客观测量指标有适度的改善。将这些常规操作纳入临床护理建议中，可能有助于改善眨眼习惯，有助于防止数字设备使用对泪膜质量以及 DED 的发生和发展的影响。
