If you’re someone who constantly rubs your eyes when they feel tired or itchy, it might be time to break that habit. While it may seem harmless, frequent and vigorous eye rubbing is linked to a serious eye condition called keratoconus — and it’s more common than most people realize.

What is Keratoconus?

Keratoconus is a progressive eye disorder where the normally round, dome-shaped cornea (the clear front surface of your eye) becomes thin and bulges into a cone-like shape. This abnormal shape causes distorted vision, increased sensitivity to light, and difficulty seeing clearly even with glasses.

Keratoconus usually begins in the teenage years and can worsen over time, affecting quality of life and requiring specialized treatments like scleral lenses or even corneal transplant in severe cases.

How Eye Rubbing Triggers Keratoconus

Multiple studies have shown that chronic eye rubbing plays a major role in the development and progression of keratoconus. But how exactly does it happen?

1. Mechanical trauma – Constant rubbing puts pressure on the cornea, weakening its structure over time.

2. Collagen breakdown – Rubbing disrupts the collagen matrix that maintains the cornea’s shape.

3. Inflammation – Repetitive friction leads to the release of inflammatory molecules that further damage corneal tissue.

4. Microtrauma – Even if you don’t feel it, tiny injuries build up and compromise the eye’s stability.

In fact, a 2020 review published in Cornea found that eye rubbing was reported in up to 80% of keratoconus patients, highlighting it as a major risk factor (Soeters et al., 2020).

Another study in Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science (2014) showed that eye rubbing increases matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which are enzymes that weaken the cornea’s structure (Balasubramanian et al., 2014).

Signs You May Be Rubbing Too Much

- Frequent itchy eyes (often due to allergies)

- Waking up with red or irritated eyes

- Pressing or massaging your eyes when feeling tired

- Habitually rubbing without noticing (while reading, thinking, etc.)

How to Stop Rubbing Your Eyes

- Treat the root cause – Manage allergies, dry eyes, or blepharitis.

- Use lubricating eye drops – These can soothe dry or irritated eyes without rubbing.

- Be mindful – Make a conscious effort to notice and stop the habit.

- Cold compress – A safe and soothing alternative to relieve itchy eyes.

Why This Matters for Filipinos

In our practice at Soliman Paroli Optical, we’ve seen an increasing number of young patients with keratoconus, especially those with a history of allergic conjunctivitis and habitual eye rubbing. Many come to us after glasses stop working well or after being told they have "irregular astigmatism."

Early diagnosis and proper management can slow down or stop the progression of keratoconus — but prevention starts with something as simple as not rubbing your eyes.

Final Takeaway

Eye rubbing is not harmless. If you have frequent eye irritation or allergies, address them early. Your vision depends on it.

Visit us at Soliman Paroli Optical – San Fernando Branch

📍 1/F Fortune Square Bldg. McArthur Hi-way, City of San Fernando, Pampanga

📞 +63 915 860 0555 | (045) 402 6386

📌 Landmark: In front of Coca-Cola plant, near Villa Julieta

About the author:

Dr Mark Paroli is an Optometrist whose practice includes designing and fitting Artificial Eyes, fitting specialty contact lenses such as Orthokeratology lenses, Scleral Lenses, Kerasoft Lenses, and RGP Lenses.

References

1. Soeters, N., Wisse, R. P., Godefrooij, D. A., Imhof, S. M., & van der Lelij, A. (2020). Association Between Eye Rubbing and Keratoconus: A Systematic Review. Cornea, 39(6), 675–679. https://doi.org/10.1097/ICO.0000000000002245

2. Balasubramanian, S. A., Pye, D. C., & Willcox, M. D. (2014). Are proteinases the reason for keratoconus? Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, 54(5), 3112–3115. https://doi.org/10.1167/iovs.13-11631

3. McMonnies, C. W. (2009). Mechanisms of rubbing-related corneal trauma in keratoconus. Cornea, 28(6), 607–615. https://doi.org/10.1097/ICO.0b013e31818ba08e

Rubbing Your Eyes Can Lead to Keratoconus: Here’s Why You Should Stop