The Effect of I-blink Exercises on Dry Eye Among Young Adults
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Clinical Trial
Abstract: Background: The COVID-19 pandemic led to a widespread shift to online education, signicantly increasing screen time among students. This has contributed to a growing incidence of Dry Eye Disease (DED), particularly among young adults. Reduced blink rates during prolonged digital device use are a key factor in the onset of dry eye symptoms, which can adversely affect quality of life. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the i-BLINK exercise program in reducing dry eye symptoms among young adults attending online lectures. Methods: A quasiexperimental non-equivalent control group pre-test–post-test design was used. A total of 60 students aged 18–22 years, attending online lectures in selected colleges of a metropolitan city, were selected using purposive sampling. Participants with DEQ-5 scores between 6 and 12 were divided into an experimental group (n=30) and a control group (n=30). The experimental group performed i-BLINK exercises daily for 21 days, supported by instructional videos and self-report checklists. DEQ-5 assessments were conducted at baseline, Day 14, and Day 21 for the experimental group, and at baseline and Day 21 for the control group. Results: Baseline demographic variables showed no signicant difference between groups. A signicant improvement in dry eye symptoms was observed in the experimental group post-intervention, with a t-value of 3.8922 (df = 58), exceeding the critical value of 1.1391 (p < 0.05). The control group showed no signicant change in DEQ-5 scores. The i-BLINK exercise program signicantly reduced dry eye symptoms among young adults exposed to prolonged screen time during online education. These ndings support the inclusion of blink training as a simple, cost-effective intervention for managing digital eye strain. Further large-scale studies are recommended to validate these outcomes and assess long-term benets
Authors: Siman Arnold Xavier, Praisy Elina Thomas, Pires Edlin Marie John, Sanjana Prasad, Reshma Anna Roy, Neha Sable
Language: English
Subfield: Ophthalmology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4413254367