Optimisation of blinking exercises for dry eye disease.

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Dry Eye Disease Research
• Digital Health Interventions

Background:

• Blinking exercises show promise for alleviating dry eye disease signs and symptoms.
• Optimal blinking exercise parameters (technique, repetitions, frequency) remain undefined.
• Instructional apps offer a potential tool for standardizing and optimizing eye care exercises.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the optimal blinking exercise routine for managing dry eye disease using an instructional app.
• To compare different blinking techniques (blink only vs. squeeze and blink).
• To identify the most effective number of repetitions and daily frequency for blinking exercises.

Main Methods:

• Two-stage study involving 98 and 28 participants with dry eye disease.
• Assessed symptoms using OSDI-6, SANDE, and Blink Test.
• Participants followed randomized blinking exercise regimens via an app for two weeks.
• Evaluated blink rate, tear film stability, tear volume, and ocular surface staining.

Main Results:

• Blinking exercises generally reduced dry eye symptomatology.
• Incorporating a 'squeeze' component significantly decreased symptom frequency.
• A routine of 15 repetitions, three times daily, proved more effective than other tested regimens.
• This optimal routine led to significant reductions in symptom severity, frequency, incomplete blinks, and conjunctival staining.
• Effects largely returned to baseline after a two-week cessation of exercises.

Conclusions:

• The optimal blinking exercise routine for dry eye is 15 close-squeeze-open cycles, performed three times daily.
• This regimen effectively reduces dry eye symptoms, incomplete blinks, and conjunctival staining.
• The benefits are temporary, highlighting the need for consistent adherence to blinking exercises.