Eye rubbing habit may threaten vision over time

By Ahmet Taş | Wise News Press
ANKARA, TÜRKİYE — Frequent and forceful eye rubbing should not be dismissed as a harmless habit, as it may increase the risk of keratoconus and lead to serious vision problems over time.

Prof. Dr. Özlem Evren Kemer, Chair of the Cornea and Ocular Surface Unit of the Turkish Ophthalmology Association, warned that keratoconus is an important corneal disease that can particularly affect young people. Kemer said eye rubbing is one of the most significant preventable factors in the development and progression of the disease.

Keratoconus changes the shape of the cornea

Keratoconus is an eye disease that occurs when the cornea, the transparent front layer of the eye, gradually becomes thinner and bulges forward into a cone-like shape. This change prevents light from focusing properly on the back of the eye.

As a result, patients may experience blurred, distorted or wavy vision. As the disease progresses, vision may become difficult to correct with glasses. In advanced stages, visual quality may decline significantly, and some patients may eventually require a corneal transplant.

Kemer said keratoconus was once considered a rare disease, but improved diagnostic methods have shown that it is more common than previously thought. While it is estimated to affect about one in every 2,000 people worldwide, studies in Türkiye suggest that it may be detected at higher rates among the young population.

According to Kemer, keratoconus may be seen in one out of every 50 young people in Türkiye, making it a condition that deserves greater public awareness and regular eye monitoring.

Eye rubbing is a key preventable risk factor

One of the most important preventable factors in the development and progression of keratoconus is the habit of rubbing the eyes. Frequent and forceful rubbing may weaken the structure of the cornea over time.

Kemer said rubbing the eyes can contribute to thinning and deformation of the cornea, especially in people with allergies. Allergic eye itching may cause people to rub their eyes more often and more aggressively without realizing the risk.

“Frequent and forceful rubbing of the eyes weakens the structure of the cornea over time. This may cause the cornea to thin and lose its normal shape, leading the disease to progress more rapidly,” Kemer said.

Experts say the habit should be recognized early, especially in children and adolescents. Although it may seem simple, repeated eye rubbing may lay the groundwork for long-term vision problems.

The disease is often noticed in young people

Keratoconus usually begins during adolescence and tends to progress at younger ages. In many people, the progression may slow down or stop around the ages of 30 to 35. However, the disease can continue to progress at any age, especially in people who keep rubbing their eyes.

For this reason, keratoconus should not be considered only a disease of youth. Regular eye examinations remain important in adulthood as well. People who have already been diagnosed with keratoconus should be monitored regularly to assess whether the disease is progressing.

Kemer said that if keratoconus is detected early, treatments can be planned to slow or stop its progression. In cases diagnosed late, visual quality may be significantly affected, and more advanced treatment options may be needed.

Who is at higher risk?

Keratoconus may be more common in some groups, making early eye examinations especially important.

Children and young people who frequently rub their eyes, people with allergy-related eye itching, those whose glasses prescription changes frequently within a short period, individuals with a family history of keratoconus and people with unexplained vision loss may face a higher risk.

Children with a family history of keratoconus should have regular eye examinations from adolescence onward, even if they have no complaints. Advanced diagnostic methods such as corneal topography can help detect the disease at a very early stage.

Families should pay attention to symptoms such as frequent eye rubbing, sensitivity to light, blurred vision, or frequent changes in eyeglass prescription.

Seek medical care if these symptoms appear

The early symptoms of keratoconus may be mild and are often mistaken for a simple eyeglass problem. This is why careful observation is important.

Kemer said the most common symptoms include gradually increasing blurred vision, vision that cannot be fully corrected with glasses, frequent changes in eyeglass prescription, difficulty seeing at night, scattered lights, glare and reduced visual clarity.

Anyone experiencing these symptoms should consult an ophthalmologist without delay. Early diagnosis is critical because keratoconus can often be controlled if detected in time.

Timely and appropriate treatment can greatly reduce the progression of the disease and may lower the likelihood of needing a corneal transplant later. For this reason, early diagnosis is vital for preserving vision.

Early diagnosis can protect vision

If keratoconus is not detected early, it can cause lifelong vision problems. However, timely diagnosis and proper intervention can significantly reduce this risk.

Experts emphasize that eye rubbing should not be viewed as harmless. The habit may damage the structure of the eye and cause more serious consequences, especially in individuals already at risk.

Frequent changes in eyeglass prescriptions among children and young people should be investigated. People with a family history of keratoconus should also avoid neglecting regular eye checkups.

According to Kemer, controlling eye rubbing, treating allergy-related eye itching and undergoing regular eye examinations are among the most important steps in reducing the risk and impact of keratoconus.

This article is for informational purposes only. For diagnosis and treatment, consult an ophthalmologist.

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