Characterisation of blink dynamics using a high‐speed infrared imaging system

Purpose Development and validation of a non‐invasive imaging system to capture spontaneous blinking and characterise blink dynamics using a custom image analysis algorithm. Methods A pilot study investigated the influence of illumination type on blink dynamics. Spontaneous blinking was recorded in eight subjects using a high‐speed camera under two illumination conditions: white light and infrared. Custom semi‐automated software assessed palpebral aperture height (PAH), blink rate, blink speed, blink completeness and blink duration. The main clinical study compared two different image analysis techniques. Spontaneous blinking was recorded in 20 subjects using a high‐speed infrared camera. Blink speed and duration were determined using two techniques: manual tracking and semi‐automated tracking. Agreement between the two techniques was assessed using Bland‐Altman analysis. Coefficients of repeatability (COR) were calculated for the semi‐automated technique. Results There were significant differences between white light and infrared illumination for PAH (p