Does eye rubbing lead to keratoconus? Dr. med. Bányai explains

Do you rub your eyes more often? Probably yes, because eye rubbing is a natural reflex when the eye itches. With tiredness, dry eyes and allergies, many people rub their eyes out of habit.

Bacteria enter the eyes quickly through the fingers and can cause infections. If you rub your eyes intensively and frequently, the cornea may deform or become thinner. This condition is called keratoconus.

Find out everything you need to know about eye rubbing and keratoconus below.

Is rubbing eyes harmful?

Strong and constant eye rubbing can be harmful under certain circumstances. In keratoconus, the thickness of the cornea changes and it can deform so much that it takes on a conical (conical) shape. Affected people often suffer from deterioration of vision. An increase in corneal deformities was observed due to excessive and intense eye rubbing.

Why rubbing your eyes is good

Rubbing the eyes is good if they itch. When tired, the surface usually dries out, as the quality of the tear film deteriorates. When the eyes become dry, they start to itch.

With concentrated work on the screen or while driving, your eyes can get tired quickly. One speaks here of a monotony of gaze. This reduces the blinking frequency and increases the risk of the eye surface drying out. Dry air in heated rooms also contributes to this.

What happens when you rub your eyes

It seems to be a harmless act, but strong and regular eye rubbing carries dangers. It is also not a solution to the actual problem, but in most cases only makes it worse. Bacteria that can cause inflammation enter the eye through the hands.

If you apply a lot of pressure when rubbing your eyes, small blood vessels can burst and vision can be impaired in the long term. It can also cause damage to the conjunctiva or corneal surface and even cause deformation. In the worst case, this leads to keratoconus.

What is keratoconus?

With the eye disease keratoconus, there is a change in the corneal thickness. The cornea becomes thinner and deforms. The cornea can deform so much that it takes on a conical shape. If you suffer from keratoconus, your vision deteriorates. As the disease progresses, shortsightedness usually develops.

If the patient suffers from a silent form of keratoconus, contact lenses or spectacle lenses can help to compensate for the irregularities. With a progressively progressing form, the cornea thins out. In serious cases, only a corneal transplant (keratoplasty) can be used here.

Finding the right treatment for keratoconus

If you suspect keratoconus or have already been diagnosed, individual consultation is crucial. In our specialized laser eye centers in Karlsruhe and Stuttgart, we take the time to work with you to determine the optimal treatment for keratoconus.

Whether innovative laser therapy or alternative procedures – we will advise you in detail and individually. Arrange a personal appointment now and gain confidence in choosing the right therapy for your eyesight.