Keratoconus, allergy, itch, eye‐rubbing and hand‐dominance

This finding adds weight to the circumstantial evidence that rubbing contributes to the pathogenesis of keratoconus. Low levels of teenage rubbing by some keratoconic subjects suggest a non-rubbing pathogenesis and that emphasis on rubbing management is not warranted in these cases. However, high levels of adult rubbing reported by many keratoconic subjects indicate that the standard advice to avoid vigorous and prolonged rubbing is often not effective, even when repeated. There appears to be an indication for the need to improve the management of eye-rubbing for some patients with keratoconus or at risk of developing this disease.