Analysis of the Dynamics of Spontaneous Blinking in normal patients and those with ophthalmological pathologies

• Grant number: 24/04424-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: October 01, 2025
• End date: September 30, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Allan Christian Pieroni Gonçalves
• Grantee: Hian Vechiato Betoni
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina (FM). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Adequate blinking is essential for maintaining eye health, as it distributes the tear film, removes debris from the tear film, excludes visual stimuli, stimulates secretion by the meibomian gland and contributes to tear drainage.On the other hand, the altered dynamics of blinking can have a series of implications on the ocular surface, interfering with the function present in several systemic and neurological disorders.Spontaneous blinking is defined and highly symmetrical in the absence of overt stimuli. It can be altered in several neurological diseases, such as essential blepharospasm, facial nerve paralysis and Parkinson's disease, leading to poor eyelid positioning, with eventual impairment of its function.Poor eyelid positioning, such as ectropion, retraction and entropion, are common pathologies that can also significantly compromise blinking dynamics. Eyelid surgical interventions can also temporarily or permanently compromise blinking.Dynamic blink assessment has been well characterized by different measurement methods, including magnetic coils, magnet-based device for dynamic eyelid monitoring, and infrared sensors. However, many of the methods used are not easily applicable to most services.An available and cost-effective technology is video cameras with videographic analysis. The constant innovation of these cameras has enabled a level of recording quality that guarantees significant information about eyelid blinking for the ophthalmologist.The purpose of this study is to investigate the dynamics of blinking in different groups of patients at the ophthalmology clinic for comparison between healthy eyes, eyes with different ophthalmological pathologies and specific pre- and post-surgical states (eyelid and orbital surgeries).