Keratoconus and allergies: is there a correct way to scratch your eyes?

The habit of frequently scratching your eyes can be caused by several factors, including keratoconus, an eye disease that causes thinning and deformation of the cornea, as well as other problems such as infections and allergies. This problem and others can directly affect vision and even cause blindness, raising doubts about the safest way to scratch your eyes.

Among the main causes of itchy eyes are allergies, dry eyes, conjunctivitis, allergic rhinitis, excessive use of screens, pollution and inappropriate use of contact lenses, explains Marcelo Guedes, ophthalmologist at Clínica de Olhos Avançada to CNN Brasil. For the problem to be resolved efficiently, it is necessary to correctly identify the cause.

According to the doctor, scratching your eyes can cause damage to the cornea, increase inflammation, encourage infections and even contribute to diseases such as keratoconus. "In addition, constant friction on the corneas can worsen some existing allergies and irritations", he points out.

Keratoconus treatment
Keratoconus is an eye disease in which the cornea becomes thinner and deformed, taking on a cone-like shape. This causes blurred vision, increased vision and progressive visual distortion.

There are some signs of the disease that can appear between adolescence and early adulthood. They are:

- blurred or distorted vision;
- sensitivity to light;
- difficulty seeing at night;
- frequent changing of glasses.

According to Marcelo Guedes, keratoconus is not usually reversed naturally, but today there are treatments capable of stabilizing the disease and improving the patient's visual quality. "The earlier the diagnosis, the greater the chances of controlling progression", he states.

One of the forms of treatment is crosslinking. "It is a procedure performed to strengthen the cornea and prevent the progression of keratoconus", explains the professional.

"It uses riboflavin (vitamin B2) associated with ultraviolet light to increase the resistance of corneal fibers. It is considered a safe and effective procedure when well indicated and carried out by a specialist", he continues.

Are there safe ways to scratch your eyes?
The ophthalmologist states that it is important that there is no friction in the eyes in any way. "The ideal is to avoid scratching your eyes", he advises.

"When there is irritation or itching, it is recommended to look for the cause of the problem and use lubricating or anti-allergy eye drops prescribed by the ophthalmologist. Cold compresses can also help alleviate symptoms without causing damage to the eyes", he explains.

Understand the risks of scratching your eyes to your vision

Source: CNN