Anonaba Chimeremeze Alozie*, Ubani Udo Ahanna, Ihesiulor Grand Chikezie, Ikesinachi Ubah Samuel and Freeman Odionyenfe Ifeanyi

Department of Optometry, Abia State University, Uturu Abia State, Nigeria

*Corresponding Author: Anonaba Chimeremeze Alozie, Department of Optometry, Abia State University, Uturu Abia State, Nigeria.

Received: January 01, 2022; Published: February 09, 2022

Abstract

Purpose: To determine the effect of caffeine on blink rate of adults

Method: A total of 100 subjects aged 18 - 50 years participated in the study. The subjects were allowed to rest for 5 minutes and then conversed for 1 minute during which the subjects talked with the researcher on general issues to make for relaxation. The number of blinks per minute was noted and recorded. After which the subjects were given 1.5 grams of Nescafe coffee powder, mixed with 50 millilitres of water, under room temperature. Each subject drank the coffee drink comfortably and the exact time of coffee intake noted. Number of blinks at 15 minutes was taken after each subject consumed Nescafe coffee. Blink rate was taken for each subject at 30, 45 and 60, minutes after coffee consumption.

Results: Mean baseline blink rate was 16.17 blink/min. 15 minutes post consumption of coffee, mean blink rate decreased to 14.00 blink/min. 30 minutes post consumption of coffee, mean blink rate decreased to 12.89 blink/min. 45 minutes post consumption of coffee, mean blink rate further decreased to 11.03 blink/min. Mean blink rate at 60 minutes post consumption of coffee was 14.84 blink/min.

Conclusion: This study showed that caffeine significantly decreased blink rate during conversation. Blink rate at 60 minutes was noted to be gradually returning to baseline blink rate. This suggests that the effects if caffeine on blink rate in adults may last for an hour before it gradually diminishes. This study also compared the effect of caffeine based on gender and found no significant difference between blink rate in both sexes. However, there was an effect in respect to age. Older people had a significantly decreased blink rate after consumption of coffee with respect to time.

Keywords: Caffeine; Adults; Blink Rate

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Citation

Citation: Anonaba Chimeremeze Alozie., et al. “Effect of Caffeine (Coffee) on Blink Rates of Adults During Conversation".Acta Scientific Ophthalmology 5.4 (2022): 03-13.

Copyright

Copyright: © 2022 Anonaba Chimeremeze Alozie., et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.