In a video published on Instagram, Dr Ygal Boujnah (@dr.boujnah.ophtalmo) warns of a common reflex: rubbing the eyes. The take-home message is simple: in the event of
keratoconusthis procedure should be avoided, because it can contribute to worsening the deformation of the cornea.
Why rubbing your eyes is a problem
Keratoconus is a disease of the cornea, this transparent surface located at the front of the eye. It gradually becomes deformed, which can change vision. In this context,
avoid eye rubbing is one of the important recommendations.
The nuance is essential: we must not understand that rubbing the eyes alone is enough to cause keratoconus in anyone. The available data mainly shows a
strong association, not simple causation. Repeated friction is considered a major factor in progression in affected people, and should therefore be limited as much as possible.
In his video, Dr. Ygal Boujnah precisely emphasizes the actions not to do: rubbing the eye directly, pressing hard, multiplying movements on the cornea. It’s mainly the friction repeated, pressed and directly on the globe which pose a problem.
The ophthalmologist also suggests pressing closer to the inner corner of the eye, or pulling lightly on the sides, avoiding touching the eye. These actions may help some people avoid direct rubbing, but they should not be presented as an officially validated method for preventing keratoconus. The solid point remains this: the less we compress and rub the cornea, the better, especially if keratoconus is known or suspected.
If your eyes are itchy, you have to find out why
Another useful message from the video: if the urge to rub comes back often, it’s becausean irritation deserves to be understood. Dr Ygal Boujnah mentions in particular dry eyes and allergies. These situations can maintain the itching and therefore the rubbing reflex.
The goal is not to feel guilty. Many people rub their eyes without thinking, especially when they are tired, dusty, allergic, or feel dry eyes. But if this reflex becomes frequent, it is best to talk to a healthcare professional, particularly when keratoconus already exists, when there is a family history or when vision changes.
A few simple guidelines can help break the automatism:
- Avoid rubbing the cornea directly, even if the itching is brief;
- Ask yourself if the urge to rub returns in specific contexts, for example allergic period, screen, dry air or fatigue;
- Do not trivialize repeated itching: an eye allergy or dry eye may require appropriate treatment;
- If eye drops have been recommended, follow the instructions for use rather than adding or modifying a treatment alone.
To apply drops by pulling the lower eyelid, Health Insurance recommendations include washing your hands, lowering the lower eyelid, placing the drop without contact between the tip and the eye, then closing the eye. The important detail is to do not touch the eye with the tipto limit the risk of contamination or irritation.
In practice, the right reflex is not only to refrain from rubbing. It’s also about identifying what pushes you to do it. In the case of keratoconus, this vigilance is particularly important: it does not replace ophthalmological monitoring, but it avoids adding unnecessary mechanical stress to an already fragile cornea.