Most of us worry about our eyes only when we can’t see clearly or when something hurts. But we rarely think about the small habits that can quietly harm our vision. Rubbing your eyes when you’re sleepy, stressed, or bored might seem harmless. But did you know this simple act could damage your eyes so much that you might need surgery one day? Many people don’t realise how fragile their eyes are until a problem like keratoconus changes everything.
What Is Keratoconus?
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Dr Shubha Pangtey, Oculoplastic and Cataract Surgeon, Shubhanu Eye Hospital, Haldwani, explains in this condition, “The eyeball is conical, not round. This problem is called keratoconus. In this disease, the cornea becomes thin and tilts outward. The vision starts to become dim. The vision becomes blurred. And the spectacles keep changing.”
Keratoconus is a condition where the normally round cornea (the clear front part of your eye) becomes thin and bulges outward into a cone shape. This change makes it hard for the eye to focus light, leading to blurry or distorted vision. People often find themselves needing new glasses prescriptions over and over, but nothing seems to help for long.
Why Does Keratoconus Happen?![2 - 2025-06-05T121255.302]( "Keratoconus")
You might wonder, Why does this happen? Dr Pangtey says, “The biggest reason for this is to keep rubbing the eyeball. Rubbing the eyeball again and again in sleep, anger, itchiness and boredom, and that is what makes the cornea like this.”
Rubbing your eyes can weaken the cornea and make it more likely to thin out and bulge. Allergies, frequent eye irritation, or even just a bad habit can all increase your risk. Sometimes, keratoconus can run in families, but most often, it’s our everyday actions that lead to trouble.
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How Serious Is Keratoconus?![1 - 2025-06-05T121250.624]( "Keratoconus")
Keratoconus is not just a minor eye problem. If left untreated, it can seriously affect your daily life. As your cornea gets thinner and more cone-shaped, your vision keeps getting worse. Simple tasks like reading, driving, or using a computer become difficult. In advanced cases, the cornea can become so weak that it needs to be replaced with a transplant.
Dr Shubha warns, “If you do not get your eyes tested and treated as soon as you see the symptoms, you might need special lenses or even a corneal transplant.”
What Are the Symptoms?![3 - 2025-06-05T121257.120]( "Keratoconus rubbing eyes symptoms")
- Blurred or distorted vision
- Frequent changes in glasses prescription
- Increased sensitivity to light
- Trouble seeing at night
- Eye discomfort or headaches
If you have symptoms or a family history of keratoconus, get your eyes checked right away. Avoid rubbing your eyes, even if they itch. Use allergy drops if needed, and see an eye doctor for proper care.
How Is Keratoconus Treated?![4 (53)]( "Keratoconus treatment")
-1749106973383.jpg "Keratoconus treatment")
The good news is, there are treatments that can help. Dr Shubha explains, “For this, we have C3R. That is the collagen cross-linking procedure. With which we can make the cornea strong again.” Collagen cross-linking (C3R) is a special procedure that strengthens the cornea and stops keratoconus from getting worse. It’s a safe, effective treatment if done early. In more advanced cases, special contact lenses or even a corneal transplant might be needed.
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Conclusion
Keratoconus is a serious eye disease that can change your life if ignored. Simple habits like rubbing your eyes can cause lasting harm. But with early diagnosis and modern treatments like collagen cross-linking, you can protect your vision and avoid surgery. Listen to your eyes, and take action before it’s too late.