A Proud Milestone for Vencer Hospital We take immense pride in announcing that our Managing Director and Consultant Ophthalmologist, Dr. Sharoon Shitole, was recently featured as the expert authority in Hindustan Times! In this national coverage, she discusses the clinical risks of a seemingly harmless everyday reflex—explaining how vigorous, repetitive eye rubbing can lead to progressive corneal damage and permanent vision impairment.
Frequent or aggressive eye rubbing exposes the cornea to severe
mechanical stress, dramatically increasing the risk of keratoconus—a condition where the cornea thins and bulges into a cone shape. In her Hindustan Times feature, Dr. Sharoon Shitole emphasizes that instead of rubbing, patients must address the underlying clinical triggers, such as ocular allergies, dry eye disease, or digital screen strain, to prevent irreversible vision loss.
Key Insights from Dr. Sharoon Shitole’s Feature in Hindustan Times
- Mechanical Stress on the Cornea: The clear front window of the eye is not built to withstand repetitive physical pressure. Chronic rubbing breaks down structural tissue integrity over time.
- Keratoconus and Irregular Astigmatism: Habitual eye rubbing is strongly linked to keratoconus, causing blurred vision, distortion, and rapid changes in cylinder power.
Heightened Risk for Adolescents & Young Adults: Keratoconus typically emerges during adolescence and early adulthood, making habitual eye rubbing among youth particularly dangerous. - Spikes in Intraocular Pressure: Vigorous rubbing causes temporary pressure spikes within the eye and irritates the ocular surface. It is strictly contraindicated for anyone recovering from recent eye surgery.
- Infection Transmission: Hands carry bacteria, viruses, and environmental allergens that rubbing transfers directly onto the eye.
- Treat the Trigger, Not Just the Urge: Persistent itching usually signals allergic conjunctivitis, dry eye syndrome, or screen-related eye strain. Simply attempting to stop the reflex fails unless the root cause
is medically managed. - Immediate Home Relief: A clean, cold compress applied gently over closed eyelids provides safe relief without dangerous mechanical friction.