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Updated: Sep 28, 2026
Corneal Epithelial Abrasion with Ocular Burr As a Model for Cornea Wound Healing
Published on: July 10, 2018
Corneal topography after ocular rubbing
Ahmad M Mansour1, Randa S Haddad
1Department of Ophthalmology, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon. dr.ahmad@cyberia.net.lb
Purpose:
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.
