Corneal topography after ocular rubbing.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the immediate effect of ocular rubbing on corneal topography.


METHODS
Corneal topography and analysis were performed before, immediately after, and 5 minutes after eyelid rubbing in 29 volunteers without ocular disease.


RESULTS
The surface regularity index increased from a baseline of 0.24 to 0.91 ( p< 0.0001) immediately after rubbing and returned to baseline after 5 minutes. The surface asymmetry index increased from 0.27 to 0.89 ( p= 0.0018) immediately after rubbing. There was a small amount of astigmatism induced immediately by rubbing (0.5 diopter) ( p= 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Ocular rubbing should be avoided prior to standard corneal topography. The increased surface regularity index may reflect the alterations of the tear film and/or the molding of the corneal surface.
Mansour
Ahmad M
AM
Department of Ophthalmology, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon. dr.ahmad@cyberia.net.lb
Haddad
Randa S
RS
D000328:Adult; D003315:Cornea / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology*; D019781:Corneal Topography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008405:Massage; D008875:Middle Aged; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology