Blinking Frequency in Normal and Dry Eye

ABSTRACT

Spontaneous blinking of a normal human being has a regular rhythm, but in dry eye syndrome, unstable tear film, foreign body sensation, and corneal erosion, etc. may stimulate the reflex blinking, resulting in increased blinking frequency. Blinking frequency of 160 normal persons and that of 20 dry eye syndrome patients were checked to investigate the differences of blinking frequency between normal and dry eyes. Results are as follows; 1. Average blinking frequency in normal male and female group was 22.7 +/- 11.4 per min. and 25.6 +/- 12.3 per min. respectively. 2. There was no sexual difference in normal group. 3. Average blinking frequency of dry eye patients was 38.4 +/- 12.0 per min. which was significantly higher than that of normal control group, 26.5 +/- 12.3 per min.