Posters

Habitual eye rubbing: a novel disease that causes chronic eye irritation

Poster Details

First Author: F.Tobaigy SAUDI ARABIA

Co Author(s):                        

Abstract Details

Purpose:

The present series of cases describe a completely new way of eye rubbing which has not been earlier reported. This type of habit is termed by the author as "Habitual Eye Rubbing" (HER). The subjects diagnosed with HER, directly rub or touch the eye ball aggressively, bulbar conjunctiva, palpebral conjunctiva, the fornex or the caruncle at the medial canthus. Some of them were also seen pulling the upper or lower lid and then rubbing with another finger.

Setting:

Consultant Specialist Center, Jazan University (6777 Prince Faisal Bin Fahd street , Jazan, Saudi Arabia)

Methods:

This prospective study evaluated 52 patients involved with the habit of direct mechanical eye rubbing. All the cases were diagnosed and investigated by a single examiner (FMT). Clinical findings along with photographs and videos of each patient were studied carefully. Demographic variations, maneuver of eye rubbing and rubbing agent (fingertip, finger nail, paper tissues). The complications observed were conjunctival pigmentation, ocular allergy, keratinization of the caruncle and conjunctiva, dry eye if long-standing, Madarosis, Floppy eye lid syndrome, sub conjunctival hemorrhage, in-turned eyelashes and pingecula

Results:

Most of the patients were adults (28 + 15.6). Unlike self-inflected conjunctivitis and eye poking; HER is seen in mentally and psychologically well patients. Being a woman (73%) with non-specific mixed complaints of itching, pain, discomfort, discharge at the medial canthus, whitish sticky thread and redness are the key aspects for diagnosing HER. All subjects directly rub or touch the eye ball, bulbar conjunctiva, palpebral conjunctiva, the fornex or the caruncle at the medial canthus. Ninety percent of patients have significant conjunctival pigmentations, three have. Sub- conjunctival hemorrhage, two have in-turned eyelashes, and one found to have pingecula.

Conclusions:

The current maneuver of eye rubbing (H.E.R) is not reported in the searched literature. Unlike self-inflected conjunctivitis and eye poking; HER is seen in mentally and psychologically well patients. HER is a common phenomenon which if un-noticed may lead to chronic ocular surface inflammation. Recognition and early diagnosis of this new disease entity may safe the patients’ sight threatening complications.

Financial Disclosure:

None