Methods for evaluating the eyes and measuring the strength of the orbicularis oculi muscle.

Abstract

To provide a method for evaluating a degree of symptom of aging of an eye.SOLUTION: A method for evaluating an eye includes a step of evaluating a degree of symptom of aging of a subject's eye on the basis of a value that indicates strength of an orbicularis oculi muscle of the subject.SELECTED DRAWING: None

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for evaluating the degree of aging of the eye, and a method for measuring the muscle strength of the orbicularis oculi muscle. [Background Art]

[0002] With aging, aging phenomena such as wrinkles and sagging may occur on the face. These aging phenomena not only cause functional problems of the eye such as dry eye and eye fatigue, but also cause aesthetic problems such as making the face look aged due to wrinkles and sagging. To counter these aging phenomena, various methods for improving wrinkles and sagging have been developed. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a light-irradiating cosmetic mask including left and right periocular electrodes that contact the periorbital margin of a user. Patent Document 2 also describes a cosmetic method characterized by comprising: a first step of attaching a face mask consisting of two vertically separated parts, a perioral part and a periocular part, to the face; and a second step of, from above the attached face mask, pressing the proximal end portion of a muscle running on the face with one hand and tracing along the running direction of the muscle with the other hand to squeeze out air, thereby stretching the face mask and the skin in the muscle running direction to bring them into close contact, so that the face mask is brought into close contact with the skin and the penetration of the active ingredient formulated in the face mask into the skin is promoted. [Prior Art Documents] [Patent Documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2021-027898 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2003-000341 [Summary of the Invention] [Problem to be Solved by the Invention]

[0004] As described above, various methods have been developed to combat the aging phenomenon around the eyes from functional and aesthetic perspectives. However, conventional technologies have not taken into account the degree of aging of the eyes and surrounding areas (whether it is age-appropriate, more advanced than age-appropriate, or less advanced than age-appropriate), making it impossible to select a method appropriate to the degree of aging of the subjects' eyes. In view of the above circumstances, the first objective of the present invention is to provide a method for evaluating the degree of aging of the eyes.

[0005] By the way, there is a muscle called the orbicularis oculi muscle around the eye, which controls the movement of the area around the eye, especially the eyelids. Conventional methods for measuring orbicularis oculi muscle strength were invasive and placed a significant burden on subjects (e.g., STRENGTH OF THE ORBICULARIS OCULI, H. BASIL JACOBS, Brit. J. Ophthal. (1954) 38, 560). However, a simple method for measuring the strength of the orbicularis oculi muscle has never even been considered until now. Therefore, a second objective of the present invention is to provide a non-invasive method for measuring the muscle strength of the orbicularis oculi muscle, which reduces the burden on the subject. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention, which solves the first problem described above, is an eye evaluation method that evaluates the degree of aging of a subject's eyes based on a value indicating the muscle strength of the subject's orbicularis oculi muscle. According to the present invention, the degree of aging of the eyes can be evaluated.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the value indicating the muscle strength of the orbicularis oculi muscle is the surface electromyogram measured in the skin of the portion corresponding to the orbicularis oculi muscle when the subject's eyes are closed. According to the present invention, the degree of aging of a subject's eyes can be easily evaluated.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the skin corresponding to the orbicularis oculi muscle is the upper eyelid of the subject. According to the present invention, the degree of aging of a subject's eyes can be evaluated with high accuracy.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the eye-closing time is 1 second or more. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the surface electromyography (EMG) is measured when the subject closes their eyes with maximum force. According to the present invention, the degree of aging of a subject's eyes can be evaluated simply and accurately.

[0010] The present invention, which solves the second problem described above, is a method for measuring the muscle strength of the orbicularis oculi muscle, which includes measuring surface electromyography in the skin corresponding to the orbicularis oculi muscle when the subject's eyes are closed. According to the present invention, the muscle strength of the orbicularis oculi muscle of a subject can be measured in a non-invasive manner that reduces the burden on the subject.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the skin corresponding to the orbicularis oculi muscle is the upper eyelid of the subject. According to the present invention, the muscle strength of the orbicularis oculi muscle of a subject can be measured in a non-invasive manner that reduces the burden on the subject.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the surface electromyography (EMG) is measured when the subject closes their eyes with maximum force. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the eye-closing time is 1 second or longer. According to the present invention, the muscle strength of the orbicularis oculi muscle of a subject can be measured with high accuracy.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the surface electromyography (EMG) is measured multiple times. According to the present invention, the muscle strength of the orbicularis oculi muscle of a subject can be measured with high accuracy. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present invention, the degree of aging of the eyes can be evaluated. Further, according to the present invention, the muscle strength of the orbicularis oculi muscle of a subject can be measured by a non-invasive method that reduces the burden on the subject. [Brief Description of the Drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] In the example, it is a plotted diagram of the relationship between the muscle strength of the orbicularis oculi muscle and age. [Mode for Carrying Out the Invention]

[0016] In the present invention, the "eye" includes the eyeball as an organ and surrounding tissues thereof. The tissues surrounding the eyeball include the orbicularis oculi muscle and skin (upper eyelid, lower eyelid, etc.) present in a portion corresponding to the orbicularis oculi muscle.

[0017] 1. Eye evaluation method The eye evaluation method of the present invention evaluates the degree of an aging phenomenon of the eye of a subject based on a value indicating the muscle strength of the orbicularis oculi muscle of the subject. According to the present invention, a novel method for evaluating the degree of an aging phenomenon of the eye can be provided.

[0018] In the present invention, the "aging phenomenon of the eye" refers to an ocular phenomenon observed due to aging, and is, for example, one or more phenomena selected from the group consisting of heaviness of the eyelid, sleepy-looking appearance, onset and / or progression of dry eye, change in the size of the eye opening (that is, shrinking of the eye), occurrence of sagging around the eyes, decrease in firmness around the eyes, and increase in wrinkles on the forehead. When the muscle strength of the orbicularis oculi muscle decreases due to aging, sagging occurs around the eyes and / or firmness decreases. In addition, a decrease in the muscle strength of the orbicularis oculi muscle causes the upper eyelid to appear droopy, so the subject subjectively feels that the eyelid is heavy, and the eye appears sleepy to other people. Furthermore, when the muscle strength of the orbicularis oculi muscle decreases, the subject subjectively feels that the eyelid is heavy, which leads to a habit of using the forehead muscles to open the eyes. Use of the forehead muscles in this manner leads to an increase in wrinkles on the forehead. Furthermore, weakening of the orbicularis oculi muscle can lead to incomplete blinking, causing or worsening dry eye. Furthermore, in this invention, the aging phenomenon of the eyes may include the apparent age of the subject's eyes, based on a value indicating the muscle strength of the subject's orbicularis oculi muscle.

[0019] In the present invention, the method for measuring the muscle strength of the orbicularis oculi muscle is not particularly limited, but it is preferable to include measuring the surface electromyography (EMG) in the skin corresponding to the orbicularis oculi muscle when the subject's eyes are closed. By measuring surface electromyography (EMG) in the skin corresponding to the orbicularis oculi muscle, the EMG of the orbicularis oculi muscle can be measured in a non-invasive, simple, and less burdensome manner for the subject. In this invention, "closing the eyes" refers to the subject intentionally closing their eyes and is distinguished from involuntary blinking. Surface electromyography (EMG) can be measured using known electrodes and EMG sensors, selected as appropriate. The measurement method should follow the manual of the equipment used for measurement.

[0020] The skin corresponding to the orbicularis oculi muscle is not particularly limited as long as the electromyographic potential of the orbicularis oculi muscle can be measured, such as the upper eyelid, lower eyelid, outer corner of the eye, or inner corner of the eye, but measurement is preferred on the upper eyelid. By measuring surface electromyography (EMG) in the upper eyelid, it is possible to measure the surface EMG of the orbicularis oculi muscle with greater accuracy.

[0021] The eye-closing time is 1 second or longer, preferably 1.5 seconds or longer, and more preferably 2 seconds or longer. There is no particular upper limit on the duration of eye closure, but it can be set to, for example, 5 seconds or less.

[0022] Although the muscle strength of the orbicularis oculi can be measured even with just one closure of the eyes, it is preferable to have the subject close their eyes multiple times. When subjects are asked to close their eyes multiple times, the number of times they close their eyes can be, for example, three or more, preferably five or more, and more preferably ten or more. The interval between closing the eyes can be 1 to 1.5 seconds. When subjects close their eyes multiple times, the surface electromyography (EMG) of the orbicularis oculi muscle is calculated as the arithmetic mean of the measured values. While the data measured when the subject's eyes are closed may be used directly to calculate the arithmetic mean, it is preferable to perform necessary noise reduction. For noise reduction, it is possible to use known noise reduction methods, such as processing with a low-pass filter. The method for analyzing data obtained when subjects closed their eyes multiple times will be described in detail in the examples. According to the present invention, the muscle strength of the orbicularis oculi muscle of a subject can be measured with greater accuracy, thereby enabling a more accurate evaluation of the subject's eyes.

[0023] Furthermore, it is preferable that the surface electromyography (EMG) values ​​mentioned above are measured when the subject closes their eyes with maximum force. This configuration allows for a more accurate assessment of the eyes.

[0024] Furthermore, the measurement method described above allows for the measurement of the orbicularis oculi muscle strength of a subject in a non-invasive manner that reduces the burden on the subject.

[0025] The degree of aging in a subject's eyes can be evaluated, for example, by the following method. In other words, in one configuration, the relationship between orbicularis oculi muscle strength and chronological age is defined in advance, and the estimated age of the subject's eyes can be calculated by comparing the measured value of the subject's orbicularis oculi muscle strength with the aforementioned relationship between orbicularis oculi muscle strength and chronological age. In another approach, a relationship between the strength of the orbicularis oculi muscle and an evaluation value for the degree of eye aging can be defined in advance. By comparing the measured value of the subject's orbicularis oculi muscle strength with the aforementioned relationship between the strength of the orbicularis oculi muscle and the evaluation value for eye aging, the degree of eye aging in the subject can be estimated.

[0026] Furthermore, the eye evaluation method of the present invention may include other steps. Furthermore, the eye evaluation method of the present invention may be combined with evaluations obtained by other known methods to perform a multifaceted evaluation of the subject's eyes. [Examples]

[0027] The present invention will be described more specifically below with reference to the following examples, but the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the following examples.

[0028] <Example 1> Verification of the correlation between orbicularis oculi muscle strength and chronological age In this example, we investigated the correlation between measured orbicularis oculi muscle strength and actual age.

[0029] Sixty healthy women aged 20 to 60 (10 from each age group, with 20 from the 30s) were used as subjects, and the muscle strength of the orbicularis oculi muscle was measured for each subject using the following measuring equipment and methods. <Measuring equipment> Skin pretreatment agent Skin Pure YZ-0019 (Nihon Kohden) Electromyography Sensor DSP Wireless Electromyography Sensor (Wet Type) SS-EMGW-HM (Sports Sensing) Electrode, Small Disposable Electrode BlueSensor N SS-SUN00S (Ambu) <Measurement method> (1) The examiner took a small amount of skin pretreatment agent on a cotton ball and gently wiped the upper eyelids of the subject who had washed their face. (2) Disposable electrodes were attached to the upper eyelids, and electromyography sensors were attached to them. The subjects were then asked to close their eyes tightly, and the muscle strength of the orbicularis oculi muscle was measured during the action of tightly closing the eyes. Each eye closure lasted 1.5 seconds, and the subjects closed their eyes a total of 20 times at 1.5-second intervals. <Analysis method> First, noise was removed from the data obtained using the measurement method described above by applying a moving average (taking the average value of data over several seconds from any given point in time). Next, the change in the surface electromyography signal value of the subjects with their eyes closed was calculated, and the signal value was obtained at a point in time that satisfied the conditions of being less than 1 / 8 of the change and more than 1 / 2 of the maximum signal value. In this example, the above signal values ​​were obtained by computer calculation, but this process only requires obtaining the signal value for a 1.5-second interval when the eyes are tightly closed, and it is also possible to use manual interval extraction, for example. Finally, the signal values ​​when the eyes were tightly closed within the same subject were arithmetic mean and used as the subject's muscle strength data. A regression line was created and the correlation coefficient was calculated from the plot of orbicularis oculi muscle strength and age obtained from the measurements.

[0030] Figure 1 shows a plot of the relationship between measured orbicularis oculi muscle strength and age. Furthermore, the equation of the approximate straight line shown in Figure 1 is y = -0.0438x + 6.7378, where y is the muscle strength of the orbicularis oculi muscle (mV) and x is the age (years). The Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient r is -0.299, indicating a weak negative correlation, and the p-value of the Pearson product-moment correlation analysis was 0.020, which was statistically significant.

[0031] As shown in Figure 1, it was revealed that there is a tendency for the measured strength of the orbicularis oculi muscle to decrease with age.

[0032] Furthermore, this study suggests that by obtaining prior data on the relationship between orbicularis oculi muscle strength and age, and then applying the measured orbicularis oculi muscle strength of the subject to this data, it is possible to evaluate the degree of aging of the subject's eyes (especially the apparent age of the subject's eyes). For example, when a subject's orbicularis oculi muscle strength measurement shows a specific value, substituting that value into the approximate straight line determined in advance as described above can be used to evaluate what age the subject's degree of eye aging corresponds to.

[0033] Furthermore, it was suggested that the results of the evaluation of the degree of eye aging in the subjects obtained as described above can be used to propose cosmetics and beauty methods suitable for the subjects. For example, if the degree of eye aging of a subject obtained as described above corresponds to an age higher than the subject's actual age, then cosmetics and beauty methods suitable for older ages can be suggested to that subject. If the degree of eye aging corresponds to the subject's actual age, then cosmetics and beauty methods appropriate for that age can be suggested to that subject. In other words, cosmetics and beauty methods suitable for each individual subject can be suggested according to the degree of eye aging of that subject.

[0034] Furthermore, the above method was simpler, non-invasive, and less burdensome for subjects compared to conventional methods for measuring orbicularis oculi muscle strength.

[0035] <Example Test 2> Verification of the relationship between measured orbicularis oculi muscle strength and aging phenomena This study examined the relationship between measured orbicularis oculi muscle strength and the aging process.

[0036] The same subjects who underwent the measurement of orbicularis oculi muscle strength in the above-mentioned Test Example 1 were given a questionnaire about the aging process of the eyes. The questions and answer choices regarding the aging process are shown below. <Question items> Q1. Sometimes I feel like my eyelids are heavy. Q2. Sometimes my eyes look sleepy even though I'm not, or people tell me I look sleepy. Q3. I suffer from dry eyes. Q4. I feel like my eyes have gotten smaller compared to before. Q5. I'm concerned about sagging and loss of firmness around my eyes. Q6. When I try to open my eyes wide, wrinkles appear on my forehead. <Options> (1) I always feel / It really applies to me (2) I feel that way / I somewhat agree (3) Sometimes I feel that way / It doesn't really apply to me (4) I don't feel that way at all / It doesn't apply to me at all

[0037] Assigning points to options (1), (2), (3), and (4), we calculated the average score for each of the above questions for the top 7 participants with the highest orbicularis oculi muscle strength values ​​in Test Example 1, and the average score for each of the above questions for the bottom 7 participants with the lowest orbicularis oculi muscle strength values ​​in Test Example 1. The calculation results are shown in Table 1.

[0038] [Table 1]

[0039] As shown in Table 1, the average score for each of the above questions was higher for the bottom 7 individuals with the lowest orbicularis oculi muscle strength measurements than for the top 7 individuals with the highest orbicularis oculi muscle strength measurements. In other words, the phenomena listed in the above questionnaire items are clearly caused in part by weakening of the orbicularis oculi muscle, as described in the "Interpretation" column of Table 1.

[0040] Furthermore, the results from Test Example 1 and Test Example 2 revealed that by measuring the muscle strength of the orbicularis oculi muscle of the subjects, it is possible to evaluate the degree of one or more phenomena selected from among age-related eye phenomena, such as feeling that the eyelids are heavy, looking sleepy even when not sleepy, dry eyes, eyes appearing smaller, sagging or loss of firmness around the eyes, and wrinkles appearing on the forehead when the eyes are opened. Specifically, it was found that by pre-defining the relationship between the measured strength of the orbicularis oculi muscle and the score indicating the degree of aging of the eyes, and by comparing the measured strength of the subject's orbicularis oculi muscle with this relationship, the degree of aging of the subject's eyes can be estimated. Furthermore, based on the degree of aging of the eyes obtained in this way, it is possible to suggest cosmetics and beauty methods that are suitable for each individual subject. [Industrial applicability]

[0041] According to the present invention, the degree of aging of the eyes can be evaluated. Furthermore, according to the present invention, the muscle strength of the orbicularis oculi muscle of a subject can be measured in a non-invasive manner that reduces the burden on the subject.

Claims

1. An eye evaluation method for evaluating the degree of aging in a subject's eyes based on a value indicating the muscle strength of the subject's orbicularis oculi muscle, The value indicating the muscle strength of the orbicularis oculi muscle is the surface electromyogram measured in the skin of the area corresponding to the orbicularis oculi muscle when the subject's eyes are closed. A method for evaluating the eyes, wherein the aforementioned aging phenomenon is a phenomenon caused by a decrease in the strength of the orbicularis oculi muscle with age, and is one or more phenomena selected from the group consisting of heavy eyelids, a sleepy appearance, changes in the size of the eye opening, the occurrence of sagging around the eyes, a decrease in firmness around the eyes, an increase in forehead wrinkles, and the apparent age of the subject's eyes.

2. The skin in the portion corresponding to the orbicularis oculi muscle is the upper eyelid of the subject, according to claim 1. Evaluation method.

3. The eye evaluation method according to claim 2, wherein the eye-closing time is 1 second or more.

4. The surface electromyography (EMG) is a measurement taken when the subject closes their eyes with maximum force, according to the claim. The method for evaluating the eyes, as described in section 3.

Images