Eye Rubbing May Cause Keratoconus

Constantly rubbing or scratching the eyes can lead to thinning and bulging forward of the transparent layer at the front of the eye, the cornea. This condition, defined as keratoconus, is more frequently observed in children and young adults who constantly rub their eyes due to allergies. "Don't rub your eyes, don't invite keratoconus," says the Turkish Ophthalmological Society Cornea and Ocular Surface Department Executive Board, which has shared that this disease leads to increased eye prescription changes and reduced vision. Keratoconus is an important eye disease that distorts a person's vision as the cornea becomes pointed and thins toward the front. Prof. Dr. Koray Gümüş, Member of the Turkish Ophthalmological Society Cornea and Ocular Surface Department Executive Board, stated that the most important symptom of keratoconus is "blurred vision that changes continuously due to irregular astigmatism."

People with allergies who constantly rub their eyes should seek urgent medical attention

Noting that vision level and quality decline significantly, especially in advanced stages of the disease, Prof. Gümüş stated: "People who have had allergies since childhood, constantly rub their eyes because of this, and complain of blurred vision should see an eye doctor immediately. In patients who have regular eye examinations and whose prescription changes each time, keratoconus should definitely be suspected and further tests should be performed."

Causes of the disease

The exact cause of keratoconus has not been fully determined today. However, research and clinical experience show that individuals with a family history of keratoconus diagnosis constitute the most important risk group. Another suspected cause is the presence of allergic eye diseases, particularly in childhood, where the eye is frequently rubbed. When examining the majority of keratoconus patients, most have a history of allergic conjunctivitis and eye rubbing.

At what ages is it more common and how is it diagnosed?

Prof. Dr. Koray Gümüş states that keratoconus should be suspected in individuals aged 10-20 years with continuously increasing prescription, frequent eyeglass changes, and a history of allergic conjunctivitis. However, to establish a definitive diagnosis in such cases, corneal topography imaging is essential.

What are the risk factors?

The risk of keratoconus progression is particularly high in the teens and twenties. Therefore, young age is an important risk factor for progression. Another important risk factor is rubbing the eyes. It is possible to say that eye rubbing can act as a trigger in the onset of this disease or increase disease progression. As the disease progresses, corneal pointedness increases and corneal thickness decreases. All these changes lead to increasingly blurred and poor quality vision complaints in patients.

Is there a treatment?

Prof. Dr. Koray Gümüş, noting that they initiate necessary medical treatment in patients with allergies and continuous eye rubbing behavior and warn patients not to rub their eyes, added the following regarding the treatment process: "Two main points are very important in treatment. The first is halting disease progression, and the second is correcting the vision disturbance caused by the disease. The most effective and reliable method for stopping keratoconus is corneal cross-linking therapy. With this treatment, the weakened cornea is strengthened and the disease can be effectively stopped. Corneal cross-linking therapy can be applied alone, while in some patients it can be combined with intrastromal ring therapy or Excimer LASER applications."

To improve vision quality

To increase vision level and quality in keratoconus patients, eyeglasses, soft contact lenses, rigid gas-permeable contact lenses, soft keratoconus contact lenses, hybrid lenses, and scleral lenses can be tried. Prof. Gümüş noted that as an alternative to all these, in some patient groups, intracorneal ring therapy and custom-made lenses that can be placed in front of the natural lens or in front of the iris can also be successful in improving vision level.

Corneal transplant in advanced stages

Prof. Dr. Koray Gümüş concluded by stating: "In very advanced stages, particularly in cases where scarring develops in the cornea—that is, permanent opacity occurs—corneal transplantation is the only solution under current conditions. However, it should not be forgotten that after corneal transplantation, additional treatments such as contact lens fitting, toric intraocular lens implantation, and laser may be needed to reduce the resulting astigmatism and increase vision level."

Don't rub your eyes, don't invite keratoconus

The Turkish Ophthalmological Society Cornea and Ocular Surface Department Executive Board supports the keratoconus awareness campaign launched globally by Dr. Renato Ambrosio Jr., President of the International Refractive Surgery Society, with the slogan "Don't rub your eyes, don't invite keratoconus." The campaign aims to raise public awareness about this disease by emphasizing the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.