Blink rate decreases with eyelid squint.

PURPOSE: We hypothesize that eyelid squint inhibits blink rate. This is part of a larger hypothesis that, because eyelid squint improves vision under conditions of optical defocus and/or glare, and reduced blink rate is assumed to contribute to dry eye symptoms, eyelid squint is part of the mechanism resulting in asthenopia. This study investigates the effect of voluntary eyelid squint on blink activity and on electromyography (EMG) measures from the orbicularis oculi. METHODS: Ten subjects (18 to 38 years of age) performed 3 1-minute trials each (Latin Square order) of voluntary target squint levels of 5%, 20%, 35%, and 50% with respect to previously demonstrated 0% (relaxed) and 100% (maximum) squint levels. EMG recordings using surface electrodes were obtained from the orbicularis muscle. Vertical dimension of the palpebral fissure and eye lid blinks were measured with an ISCAN eye tracker and video recorder. RESULTS: Each target squint level produced significant changes (p<0.0001) in ocular aperture size, EMG power, and EMG amplitude. For target voluntary squint levels of 5%, 20%, 35%, and 50%, the mean squint responses were 24%, 35%, 42%, and 53%, respectively. Blink rate was inversely related to both target squint level and squint response (p<0.0001), decreasing from 15 blinks per minute at 0% squint to 7.5 blinks per minute at 5% target voluntary squint and to 4 blinks per minute at 50% target voluntary squint. CONCLUSIONS: Voluntary eyelid squint significantly reduces blink rate by an average of 50% or more dependent on attempted level. Further study is required to determine if involuntary squint causes the same. All tested levels of voluntary squint resulted in an EMG signal from the orbicularis muscle that is measurably different from resting state. This indicates that EMG can be used as a reliable indicator of eyelid squint.