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Eye rubbing may affect corneal biomechanical properties and IOP measurements
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Corneal biomechanical properties and Goldmann equivalent IOP values were decreased significantly after patients rubbed their eyes, a study found.
Researchers assessed whether IOP or corneal biomechanical properties were affected by eye rubbing or holding one’s breath in 80 eyes of 40 subjects. Corneal hysteresis, corneal resistance factor, corneal compensated IOP and Goldmann equivalent IOP were measurements of interest.
Significantly lower values of corneal hysteresis, corneal resistance factor and Goldmann equivalent IOP were recorded after eye rubbing compared with baseline (P < .001); values for corneal hysteresis and corneal resistance factor were even lower after a second episode of eye rubbing. The study authors recorded no significant difference with corneal compensated IOP, nor with any values associated with breath holding.
“From a clinical perspective, patients should be instructed to avoid eye rubbing before measurements of corneal biomechanical properties and IOP,” the study authors said.