Relationship between corneal sensation, blinking, and tear film quality

Nosch, Daniela Sonja, Pult, Heiko ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4371-8007, Albon, Julie ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3029-8245, Purslow, Christine and Murphy, Paul John 2016. Relationship between corneal sensation, blinking, and tear film quality. Optometry and Vision Science 93 (5) , pp. 471-481. 10.1097/OPX.0000000000000827

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Abstract

Purpose: To examine the possible role of corneal sensitivity and tear film quality in triggering a blink by investigating the relationship between blink rate, central corneal sensitivity threshold (CST), ocular surface temperature (OST), tear meniscus height (TMH), tear film quality (noninvasive tear break-up time [NIBUT]), and tear film lipid pattern under normal conditions. Methods: Forty-two volunteers (average age, 27.76 ± 5.36 years; 11 males) with good ocular health (Ocular Surface Disease Index, <15.0) were recruited for this cross-sectional cohort study. Blink rate, CST (noncontact corneal air gas aesthesiometry, NCCA), minimum and maximum OST in the central and inferior cornea between blinks (thermal infrared camera), TMH, NIBUT, and lipid pattern of the tear film (Keeler Tearscope Plus) were recorded on the right eye only. Results: Median blink rate was 11 blinks/min (interquartile range [IR], 6.95 to 17.05), CST was 0.35 mbars (IR, 0.30 to 0.40), minimum OST in the central cornea was 35.15°C (IR, 34.58 to 35.50), and NIBUT was 34.55 s (IR, 12.45 to 53.80). Moderate but statistically significant correlations were observed between CST and NIBUT (r = 0.535, p < 0.001), CST and blink rate (r = -0.398, p < 0.001), lipid pattern and OST (r = 0.556, p < 0.001), and between CST and OST (r = 0.371, p = 0.008). The correlations between blink rate and NIBUT (r = -0.696, p < 0.001) and between OST and NIBUT (r = 0.639, p < 0.001; Spearman test) achieved higher significance; this was highlighted by the linear regression model where NIBUT and minimum central and inferior OST were identified as significant predictor variables. Conclusions: There is strong evidence for significant interactions between corneal sensitivity, NIBUT, OST, and blink frequency, emphasizing that ocular surface conditions represent a possible important trigger for the initiation of a blink. However, the mechanisms involved in the initiation of a blink are complex, with local ocular sensory input as only one trigger, along with other external influences and internal factors under cortical control.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Optometry and Vision Sciences
Subjects:	R Medicine > RE Ophthalmology
Uncontrolled Keywords:	corneal sensitivity, blink, tear film, ocular surface temperature
Publisher:	American Academy of Optometry
ISSN:	1040-5488
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	31 March 2017
Date of Acceptance:	4 November 2015
Last Modified:	07 Nov 2023 17:31
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/99580

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