gms | German Medical Science

Growing impact of computer work in leisure time and at work has lead to a marked increase in complaints associated with dry eye disease. Significant reduction of blinking frequency during concentrated work is a main reason resulting in evaporation of anterior eye environment. All previous approaches do not take into account these special damaging factors and the individual differences of complex blinking behaviour.

Development of a mobile and non-invasive analysis system for detection of lid movements enables the assessment of these important surface parameters. A standardized measurement of other objective parameters (Schirmer-test, Jones-test, break-up time, staining with fluorescein and rose bengal dye, video-topography) and subjective complaints (extended questionnaire of the B.V.A. work group " dry eye") make the definition of an individual risk profile of further desiccation disease possible. Influencing of blinking by individual reinforcement (biofeedback) was tested during computer work. So far, we could show that animation does make blinking (windshield- and lubricant effect) more frequent and regular.

The running project is planned to test the clinical efficiency of external signals in influencing the application of viscoelastic agents and protective lid movement behaviour over the time period of several weeks. Changes of objective and subjective functional parameters will be ruled out.