Blinking Exercise Study

Sponsor
St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton
Study ID
NCT07554937
Status
Not Yet Recruiting

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Conditions

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
ALL
Age
18 Years - N/A
Healthy Volunteers
Accepted

Interventions

  • Structured Blinking Exercise Training — BEHAVIORAL
    A standardized, non-drug blink exercise program where participants perform 15 close-squeeze-open blink cycles, three times daily for two weeks. It is designed specifically for glaucoma patients with dry eye, focuses on improving blink mechanics and tear film stability, includes guided instruction and adherence support, and is used alongside existing glaucoma treatment without modifying medications.

Study Details

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate whether a structured blinking exercise can improve symptoms and signs of dry eye disease (DED) in adults with glaucoma who are using topical intraocular pressure-lowering medications. The study will also assess the effects of the intervention on tear film stability, blink function, and participant adherence to the exercise. The main questions this study aims to answer are: Does a two-week structured blinking exercise reduce dry eye symptoms, as measured by the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) and Symptom Assessment in Dry Eye (SANDE) questionnaires? Does the blinking exercise improve objective measures of ocular surface health, including non-invasive tear break-up time (NITBUT) and blink dynamics? Researchers will compare glaucoma patients receiving topical medications (intervention group) with glaucoma suspects not using topical therapy (control group) to evaluate the effectiveness of the blinking exercise on dry eye outcomes. Participants in both groups will receive instruction on a standardized blinking exercise protocol consisting of repeated close-squeeze-open blinking cycles performed three times daily for two weeks. Participants will attend study visits at baseline, 2 weeks (post-intervention), and 4 weeks (follow-up). At each visit, participants will complete validated dry eye questionnaires and undergo non-invasive assessments of tear film stability, blink characteristics, and meibomian gland function. Adherence to the blinking exercise will be monitored using self-reported logs or reminders.

Key Dates

First listed
Apr 28, 2026
Start date
Aug 31, 2026
Status verified
Apr 2026
Primary completion
Mar 31, 2027
Completion
Mar 31, 2027

Study Design

Enrollment
45 participants (estimated)
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
OTHER

Arms

  • Experimental: Arm 1: Glaucoma Patients on Topical Therapy + Blink Training (Intervention Arm)
    Participants in this arm are patients with a confirmed diagnosis of glaucoma who are currently using at least one topical intraocular pressure-lowering medication. In addition to continuing their prescribed glaucoma therapy without modification, participants will undergo a structured blink training program. Interventions: Intervention Name: Structured Blink Training Exercise Type: Behavioral Intervention Description: Participants will perform a standardized blinking exercise consisting of 15 cycles of a close-squeeze-open eyelid sequence, completed three times daily (morning, afternoon, evening) for a duration of 2 weeks. Instruction will be provided in-person with written guidance, and participants will be encouraged to use a mirror or smartphone for technique feedback. Adherence will be monitored using daily logs and optional reminder prompts.
  • No Intervention: Arm 2: Glaucoma Suspects + Blink Training (Control/Comparator Arm)
    Participants in this arm are glaucoma suspects who are not yet receiving topical intraocular pressure-lowering therapy. Participants will not receive pharmacologic glaucoma treatment during the study but will perform the same structured blink training protocol as the intervention group. Interventions: Intervention Name: Structured Blink Training Exercise Type: Behavioral Intervention Description: Identical blink training protocol as Arm 1 (15 cycles of close-squeeze-open blinking, three times daily for 2 weeks). Instruction, adherence monitoring, and reminders will be the same as in the intervention arm. Background Treatment (Standard Monitoring): Routine clinical observation for glaucoma suspects, including intraocular pressure monitoring as per standard care, without initiation of topical therapy during the study period. Intervention Summary Across Arms This study evaluates the effect of a structured blink training regimen on dry eye disease outcomes in two clinically distinct po

Primary Outcome Measure

Symptom Assessment in Dry Eye (SANDE): [ Time Frame: 2 and 4 weeks post intervention ]

Central Contacts

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