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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2021 Oct;69(10):2643-2648.
doi: 10.4103/ijo.IJO_3405_20.

Efficacy of blink software in improving the blink rate and dry eye symptoms in visual display terminal users - A single-blinded randomized control trial

D L Ashwini  1 , Ramesh S Ve  2 , Daniela Nosch  3 , Natoya Wilmot  2
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Efficacy of blink software in improving the blink rate and dry eye symptoms in visual display terminal users - A single-blinded randomized control trial

D L Ashwini et al. Indian J Ophthalmol. 2021 Oct.

Abstract

Purpose: Dry eye disease (DED) is a multifactorial disease, more prevalent among visual display terminal users. Reduced blink rate is a risk factor to dry eye disorder, innovative means to remind to blink while using computers can be helpful.

Methods: Single-blinded Randomized Control Trial enrolled computer users with dry eye. Allocation concealment was done using opaque envelope and principal investigator was blinded. After baseline examination, eligible participants were randomized to intervention group (appearance of bars is 8 times/min) and control group (appearance of bars is 1 time/min). Participants from both groups used the software for 15 days, came for first follow up, and did not use the software for next 15 days until second follow-up examination. During each visit, detailed eye examination was done including blink rate, tear film break up time, and Ocular Surface Disease Index score.

Results: Forty-six participants (women n = 31; men n = 15) with a mean age of 28.02 (±6.295) years completed the study. Four participants were excluded from analysis because of early dropout. In the intervention group (n = 23) and control group (n = 23), participants were allocated. At the end of first phase, there was statistically significant difference in OSDI score (P = 0.021). Statistically significant difference was noticed in OSDI (P = 0.014) and blink rate (P = 0.049) as baseline, and final visit data were compared.

Conclusion: "Blink-Blink" software with 8 reminders/min improved DED-related symptoms by increasing the blink rate. The carry-over effect after cessation of Blink-Blink software in improving blink rate was maintained even after 1 month.

Trial registration: : Clinical Trials Registry-India (CTRI): CTRI/2018/08/015176.

Keywords: blink rate; dry eye disease; randomized control trial; “Blink-Blink” animated software.

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Conflict of interest statement

None

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
It shows the participant details and Randomized Control Trial protocol
Figure 2
Figure 2
It shows the median values of OSDI, observed blink rate, recorded blink rate, and tear film break up time values postintervention and wash out phase, for both the groups
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

References

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