Commentary: Are you blinking enough? – Efficacy of a software to improve blink rate in video display terminal users

Dry eye disease (DED) is an emerging health concern that is characterized by chronic ocular surface dysfunction that results from a vicious cycle of dysregulated ocular inflammation.[1] Among the wider spectrum of DED, evaporative dry eye disease (EDE) is a major issue faced by video display terminal (VDT) users as it not only affects their ocular health but also compromises their work productivity.[2] Numerous studies have shown an increased risk of DED with prolonged VDT use and screen time exposure.[3] This can be attributed to the reduction in the blink rate by 40–60% and incomplete blink amplitudes noted during VDT use.[4] This results in faster desiccation of the tear film causing an evaporative type of DED commonly referred to as the computer vision syndrome (CVS).[5] Studies have also shown that this form of EDE is estimated to increase in children as they approach adolescence, probably due to increased screen time exposures in this age group.[6]