Abstract
BackgroundTo investigate the effect of eye rubbing on keratometry (K), aberrometry, tear film break-up-time (TFBUT) and anterior chamber depth (ACD).MethodsVolunteers without any corneal pathology or dry eyes were randomised to rubbing in one eye and the fellow-eye was control. Eye rubbing was performed for 2 min. Primary outcomes studied were anterior and posterior K changes. Secondary outcomes were changes in TFBUT, axial length (AL) & ACD, K changes in various zones, asphericity and aberrometry. Pre and post rubbing K, aberrometry, ACD and TFBUT were assessed in a predetermined sequence. The relationship of the above parameters to axial length (AL) was also assessed. Astigmatism was analysed using vector analysis.ResultsPre versus post rubbing, anterior flatter K further flattened (42.51 ± 1.52 D vs. 42.36 ± 1.53 D, p = 0.003) and the changes to J0 vector in central cornea (−0.16 ± 0.26 D vs. -0.27 ± 0.33 D, p = 0.038) suggested change to against-the-rule (ATR) astigmatism. There was significant change in Z2+2 polynomial following rubbing. We found a positive correlation between axial length and change in posterior K (r = 0.335, p = 0.020). The TFBUT reduced following eye rubbing (15.3 s vs. 13.9 s, p = 0.0001). There was a positive correlation between AL and increase in ACD post rubbing (r = 0.300, p = 0.038). There was a positive correlation between ACD and change in mean posterior K (r = 0.305, p = 0.035).ConclusionsIn healthy eyes, following eye rubbing, there is a significant change in TFBUT and central anterior K changes towards ATR astigmatism. Longer eyes had more changes in posterior K and ACD. Whereas, eyes with deeper ACD showed more steepness of posterior K.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT02131740.
Highlights
To investigate the effect of eye rubbing on keratometry (K), aberrometry, tear film break-up-time (TFBUT) and anterior chamber depth (ACD)
No patients were referred to acute ophthalmology services due to the discovery of any new pathology
While previous research has explored the structural and histological changes on a microscopic level in the cornea following eye rubbing, [8,9,10,11,12,13,14] our research focused on the link between keratometric changes, aberrometry, TFBUT and ACD occurring because of digital rubbing in healthy eyes
Summary
To investigate the effect of eye rubbing on keratometry (K), aberrometry, tear film break-up-time (TFBUT) and anterior chamber depth (ACD). Several biochemical and biomechanical processes link eye rubbing to structural corneal changes and ectatic corneal disorders like keratoconus, keratoglobus and pellucid marginal degeneration, [1, 2] especially in patients suffering from dry eyes or atopy [3,4,5]. Chervenkoff et al Eye and Vision (2017) 4:19 and anterior segment disorders (like keratoconus) in non-healthy eyes. Fellow eye controlled study, to investigate the changes in keratometry (K), aberrometry, tear film break-up-time (TFBUT) and anterior chamber depth (ACD) following eye rubbing in healthy volunteers. We aimed to analyse the relationship between the above parameters with age and axial length (AL) of the eyeball
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
