Age and gender differences in endogenous eyeblinks and the standard blink rate of normal adults.

Abstract

jects. A subsidiary purpose was to investigate gender and age differences in eyeblink behaviors. The identical task, watching an edited video tape for three minutes, was administered to 671 subjects aged from 20 to 93 years. Eyeblinks of each person were videotaped during task performance and were analyzed using a special software. The results were as follows: (a) the average blink rate in adulthood was approximately 20 blinks per minute, (b) no remarkable age effects was found, but (c) the gender difference in eyeblink rate was significant, with females blinking more frequently than males. In addition, the opening and closing durations of eyeblinks, the synchronization between right and left eyelids, and the effects of wearing contact lenses and eyeglasses on eyeblink rates were examined in terms of age and gender differences. A specific influence of contact lens wearing on blink rate was obtained, namely a significant increase in blinking and prolongation of blink duration. (Japanese