Abstract
Corneal and conjunctival sensitivity are important components of the eye’s defence mechanism. However, it is also suggested that they play a role in detecting thinning or breaks in the preocular tear film as part of the normal blink process.1,2 The mechanism for detecting these changes in the tear film structure is unclear, but the following model can be proposed. The open eye experiences a slight reduction in surface temperature, as a result of evaporation, over both the cornea and conjunctiva.3 This temperature reduction is not even and where the tear film thins, a greater temperature change occurs. Sensory nerves in the cornea and conjunctiva detect these temperature changes, and a blink is initiated. This reforms the tear film and re-stabilises the preocular tear film temperature.
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