| Tear-film lipid layer morphology and corneal sensation in the development of blinking in neonates and infants. | |
MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 15733299 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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The aim of the study was to evaluate the role of lipid layer thickness and corneal sensation in the development of blinking in neonates. The study group comprised sixty-four neonates and infants (mean age 27.5 +/- 15 (sd) weeks, range 3.4-52) whose mothers were attending a general practice healthy baby clinic. Spontaneous eye-blink activity was determined from digital videographic recordings; tear film lipid layer morphology wasexamined using interference patterns produced by the Keeler Tearscopetrade mark Plus over a five-point grading scale (higher grades are associated with thick and stable lipid films); corneal sensation threshold was assessed with the Non-Contact Corneal Aesthesiometer (NCCA), using the eye-blink response as an objective indication that the cooling stimulus had been felt; palpebral aperture dimensions were measured using calibrated digital still images of the eye in the primary position. The overall mean spontaneous blink-rate was found to be 3.6 (+/- 0.3) blinks min(-1), and the mean interblink time was 21.6 (+/- 2.8) s. The lowest blink-rates were observed in the 0-17-week age group (average 2 blinks min(-1)). The blink-rate showed a highly significant correlation with age (r = 0.46, P < 0.01). The overall mean lipid layer grading was 3.6 (+/- 0.2 SE) arbitrary units. Higher grades were found in the newborn and the mean grading score reduced with age (P < 0.01). The mean sensation threshold to blink (TTB) was 0.69 (0.04 SE) mbar, which did not differ from a control group of older subjects (P > 0.05). There was a rapid increase in palpebral aperture length and width from birth to 1 year old, with surface area increasing by 50% over the same period. We concluded that the low rate of spontaneous eye blink activity in neonates is associated with a thick stable lipid layer that may be a function of a small palpebral aperture. Furthermore, neonates appear to have the capacity to detect ocular surface cooling, which is a major trigger for spontaneous blinking. |
Authors:
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John G Lawrenson; Rosalind Birhah; Paul J Murphy |
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Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Journal of anatomy Volume: 206 ISSN: 0021-8782 ISO Abbreviation: J. Anat. Publication Date: 2005 Mar |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2005-02-28 Completed Date: 2005-06-09 Revised Date: 2013-06-09 |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 0137162 Medline TA: J Anat Country: England |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 265-70 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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Henry Wellcome Laboratories for Visual Science, Department of Optometry and Visual Science, City University, London, UK. |
Export Citation:
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| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Blinking
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physiology* Child Development Cold Temperature Cornea / innervation* Humans Infant Infant, Newborn Lipids / physiology* Neurons, Afferent / physiology* Sensory Thresholds Tears / physiology* Video Recording |
| Chemical | |
Reg. No./Substance:
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0/Lipids |
| Comments/Corrections | |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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