Evaluation of an Updated Version of the Program "BlinkBlink" for Alleviation of Dry Eye Symptoms Induced by Computer Work

Dry Eye Syndromes Clinical Trial

Official title:

Evaluation of an Updated Version of the Program "BlinkBlink" for Alleviation of Dry Eye Symptoms Induced by Computer Work

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Completed

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT04637516
• Other study ID #: 2018-00378
• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: April 1, 2018
• Est. completion date: August 17, 2018

Study information

• Verified date: November 2020
• Source: University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Study type: Interventional

Clinical Trial Summary

The program "BlinkBlink" was developed to alleviate dry eye symptoms during prolonged computer work. This study aimed to show subjective and objective improvement of dry eye problems in a sample size of office workers

Description:

The increased use of digital devices and the resulting increase in near work has increased the prevalence of dry eye disease (DED). Studies show that blink frequency reduced considerably during computer work, hence the tear film is spread less regularly over the anterior surface of the eye giving rise to an unstable tear film. This may lead to tired, dry eyes. The aim of this study was to observe if the tear film quality and dry eye symptoms may improve with the use of the computer animation program "BlinkBlink" during prolonged computer work. Participating subjects test two versions of the program, whereby one version applies the animation in a much lower frequency, hence serving as a near placebo version. The testing order of the versions is randomized. The variables tested in this study are non-invasive tear film break up (NIBUT) and subjective dry eye symptoms with the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Completed
• Enrollment: 30
• Est. completion date: August 17, 2018
• Est. primary completion date: August 17, 2018
• Accepts healthy volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers
• Gender: All
• Age group: 18 Years and older

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• duration of computer work of at least six hours per day during at least four days per week
• OSDI score = 18
• no active pathology on the anterior eye
• Snellen visual acuity of = 0.8.

Exclusion Criteria:

• acute systemic disease
• contact lens wear
• asthenopia

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Computer Vision Syndrome
• Dry Eye Syndromes
• Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca
• Syndrome

Intervention

Device:
• Animation program "BlinkBlink"
Computer program that presents horizontal bars on the computer screen that move from above and below towards each other, mimicking a blink movement.

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
Switzerland	Institute of Optometry, FHNW	Olten	Solothurn

Sponsors (1)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland

Country where clinical trial is conducted

Switzerland, 

References & Publications (1)

Nosch DS, Foppa C, Tóth M, Joos RE. Blink Animation Software to Improve Blinking and Dry Eye Symptoms. Optom Vis Sci. 2015 Sep;92(9):e310-5. doi: 10.1097/OPX.0000000000000654. — View Citation

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	Subjective improvement of dry eyes	subjective improvement with OSDI questionnaire	14 days
Primary	objective improvement of dry eyes	objective improvement of tear film quality (NIBUT)	14 days