Purpose

To evaluate time-dependent, phase-specific changes in blink kinematics after uncomplicated cataract surgery using high-speed frame-by-frame analysis and to assess the impact of surgery duration and eyelid speculum opening on postoperative blink dynamics

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Methods

Twenty-one patients undergoing unilateral cataract surgery were prospectively evaluated preoperatively and at postoperative day 1 (POD1), postoperative week 1 (POW1), and postoperative month 1 (POM1). Blink recordings were obtained using a smartphone camera (240 fps) positioned directly in front of the patient for 3 minutes. The central 1-minute segment was analyzed frame-by-frame using Kinovea software to quantify mean closing velocity (MCV), mean opening velocity (MOV), and blink rate (BR). Changes (Δ) were calculated relative to baseline.

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Results

The mean age of the patients was 64.4 ± 6.6 years. The mean surgery duration was 9.14 ± 0.85 minutes, and the mean eyelid speculum opening was 1.58 ± 0.10 cm. At baseline, MCV was 65.93 ± 22.31 mm/s, MOV was 25.62 ± 5.56 mm/s, and mean BR was 9.5 ± 3.63 blinks/min. MCV showed a significant time-dependent alteration (ΔMCV: −18.22 ± 23.82 at POD1, −10.29 ± 27.33 at POW1, and −0.14 ± 21.41 at POM1; χ²(2)=7.714, p=0.021). Post hoc analysis demonstrated a significant decrease at POD1 and POW1 compared with baseline (p≤0.001), whereas values at POM1 were similar to baseline levels (p=0.281).In contrast, MOV and BR did not change significantly over time (p=0.180 and p=0.091, respectively). Surgery duration and speculum opening showed no significant association with any blink parameter (p≥0.05).

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Conclusion

In the early postoperative period following cataract surgery, there is a temporary reduction in blink closing velocity, whereas opening dynamics remain preserved. This phase-specific pattern suggests selective involvement of the periocular musculature, particularly affecting the closing mechanism. These findings may be related to mechanical effects associated with eyelid speculum use.

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Additional Authors

First name	Last name	Base Hospital / Institution
Serdar	Bilici	Oltu State Hospital, Erzurum, Türkiye
Suat Hayri	Uğurbaş	Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University, Zonguldak, Türkiye

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