Design and validation of a device to detect and quantify eye-rubbing behaviour

Session Details

Session Title: Keratoconus & Secondary Ectasia

Session Date/Time: Sunday 15/09/2019 | 08:00-10:00

Paper Time: 08:36

Venue: Free Paper Forum: Podium 2

First Author: : D.Johnson CANADA

Co Author(s): :    A. Ralhan   J. Leroux                          

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To design and validate a device to detect and quantify eye rubbing behaviour.

Setting:

Tertiary care ophthalmology centre; 30 volunteers (60 eyes) of healthy non-keratoconic subjects.

Methods:

A tactile surface pressure system (Tactilus free form sensor) was adapted for use on the eyelid, with a small 1x1cm probe taped to the lower eyelid. Subjects were instructed to rub their eyes using one of 4 predetermined techniques as a proof of concept. In addition, we also compared pressure measurements on the eyelid with that of intraocular pressure measurements (iCare) with the eyelid open.

Results:

During initial trials, the tactile surface pressure system has shown reliable results in being able to detect small and large forces exerted on the eyelid during eye rubbing behaviour. It is able to pick up light touch on the eyelid as small as 1psi. We expect our sample size of 60 eyes to be complete by the end of May 2019.

Conclusions:

To our knowledge eyelid rubbing has never been quantified in previous reports. A method to quantify eye rubbing and pressure on the globe will allow clinicians to further study determinants of keratoconus such as eye rubbing and globe pressure during sleep.

Financial Disclosure:

None