The effects of eye-rubbing on the axial length, anterior chamber depth, tear film break-up time and the front eye segment parameters

Session Details

Session Title: Anterior Segment Imaging

Session Date/Time: Monday 16/09/2019 | 14:00-16:00

Paper Time: 14:12

Venue: Free Paper Forum: Podium 4

First Author: : I.Radman CROATIA

Co Author(s): :    I. Krolo   A. Kasumović   M. Malenica Ravlić   K. Lončarić   Z. Vatavuk                 

Abstract Details

Purpose:

The aim of this study was to determine the transient changes (if any) on the cornea and the axial length in healthy volunteers after one eye rubbing for 2 minutes. As a control group we used the fellow- eye that was not rubbed.

Setting:

Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center Zagreb Croatia

Methods:

The study included 100 eyes of 50 persons who came to the first ophthalmic examination. Exclusion criteria were as follows: corneal disease, atopic conjunctivitis and keratitis, periocular region allergies, previous eye surgery, contact lens wear, use of ophthalmic drugs and history of eye rubbing. The examinees undertook a slit-lamp examination of the cornea and anterior chamber and tear film assessment before and after eye rubbing. Futher examination included corneal topography (OCULUS Pentacam, Germany) and ultrasound biometry (Zeiss IOL Master 700) to evaluate the parameters of the front eye segment and the axial length of the eyeballs before and after eye rubbing.

Results:

Fifty volunteers without any corneal pathology were enrolled in this study. At initial examination no significant difference was found between the eyes exposed to rubbing and those that were not. Compared to the condition before eye rubbing, flat keratometry (K) on the front surface of the cornea after rubbing became even more flat and there were further changes in the central cornea in terms of against the rule astigmatism (ATR). Non-invasive tear break-up time (NITBUT) was statistically significant higher after the eye rubbing. There was a positive correlation between axial length (AL) and anterior chamber depth (ACD) after rubbing.

Conclusions:

In healthy eyes, following eye rubbing, there is a significant change in NITBUT and central anterior K changes towards ATR astigmatism. Longer eyes had more changes in ACD.

Financial Disclosure:

None