Via iStockphoto / @imanetarib.md TikTok
An eye surgeon shared a hack for rubbing irritated eyes to avoid damaging them, which came as a shock to some viewers.
A Baltimore eye surgeon showed how she deals with itchy eyes. Spoiler alert: it’s probably different from what you’re used to.
Dr. Imane Tarib (@imanetarib.md) shared the viral clip with over 2.5 million views. The video is captioned, “- POV: When an eye surgeon has itchy eyes.”
The video’s premise highlights the recommended way to handle a common annoying sensation, itchy eyes.
What Technique Does The Eye Surgeon Demonstrate?
Dr. Imane massages under her eyebrow, then under her eye. She works around the inner and outer corners.
The message is clear.
No direct pressure or friction is applied directly to her eyeball.
Why Is She Avoiding Direct Pressure To Her Eye?
The answer is the cornea or clear surface of the eye.
Repeated and vigorous eye rubbing has been associated with keratoconus. A condition in which the cornea becomes progressively thinner and develops an irregular, cone-like shape. That change can interfere with how light enters the eye and cause blurry or distorted vision.
The exact cause of keratoconus isn’t completely understood. Genetics and environmental factors can play a role. But ophthalmology sources specifically identify eye rubbing as an important factor associated with the condition and its progression.
Can Rubbing Your Eyes Really Change The Shape Of Your Cornea?
Repeated trauma from eye rubbing can contribute to keratoconus and its progression, particularly in people who are genetically predisposed. This makes itchy eyes especially problematic.
Allergies and other conditions that cause chronic eye irritation can create a cycle. The eyes itch, a person rubs them, the rubbing provides temporary relief, and then the irritation returns.
What Are The Symptoms Of Keratoconus?
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, one of the earliest signs can be blurred or distorted vision that can’t be fully corrected with glasses.
As the condition progresses, people may notice that their vision becomes increasingly blurry or distorted. Requiring frequent changes in their glasses prescription. They may also experience increased sensitivity to light and glare, difficulty seeing clearly at night, or halos and streaks around lights.
Another warning sign is a noticeable difference between the vision in the two eyes. Someone may also find that their usual contact lenses no longer fit comfortably or provide clear vision.
An eye doctor can examine the cornea and use specialized imaging to determine whether the cornea is developing the characteristic changes associated with the condition.
That makes Dr. Tarib’s warning about rubbing your eyes particularly important. It is about protecting the clear surface of the eye that is responsible for focusing light and maintaining clear vision.
Viewers Admitted It Would Be Hard Fighting The Urge
Comments quickly poured in from viewers who experienced the consequences firsthand.
One viewer said she used to rub her eyes frequently before developing keratoconus. She wrote, “Yes stop rubbing your eyes people.I used to do a lot and then I got keratoconus.” She added that she was recently recovering from CXL surgery, a procedure used to strengthen the cornea in people with keratoconus.
Another commenter, @ptrosebeauty, appeared to recognize herself in the surgeon’s warning. “Me rn reading these comments knowing damn well I rub my eyes so hard when they get itchy that they get bloodshot,” she wrote.
Then there was the comment that captured the biggest problem with breaking the habit. He admitted, Iit feels so good to rub my eyes though,” adding a broken heart emoji.
@imanetarib.md Don’t rub your eyes 👁️ kkeratoconusccorneaoophthalmologykkeratoconusawarenesse#eyesurgeon
BroBible contacted Dr. Imane Tarib via email for comment.