Welcome to the Keratoconus Diary.

A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF KERATOCONUS

Keratoconus has long been regarded as a “dystrophy of unknown origin’, but we shall provide relevant information and evidence to support the theory that keratoconus is a mechanical disease  caused by repetitive and vigorous  eye rubbing.

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STOP RUBBING YOUR EYES!

This website is not intended to sell or promote any form of treatment or therapeutic agent. We wish to sensitize patients to the importance of eye rubbing in keratoconus causation and progression, and we shall demonstrate this with real patients and real case studies throughout the site.

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AUTHORS & CONTRIBUTORS

Main Authors:

  • Damien GATINEL
  • Adrien MAZHARIAN 

Co-Authors:

  • Alain SAAD
  • Romain COURTIN
  • Christophe PANTHIER
  • Guillaume DEBELLEMANIERE

Special Editing Consultant:

  • Cordelia CHAN
  • Radhika RAMPAT

Credit :

  • Julien SAVATOVSKY
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KERATOCONUS SUPPORT

We provide a portal for you to share your views and ask questions

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OUR LAST UPDATE

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2022
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OUR LAST ARTICLE

CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) AND EYES : RECOMMENDATIONS
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This website describes our patients with keratoconus or those who developed ectasia (keratoconus-like changes) after refractive surgery. These patients are real and are happy to share their stories with us. All they were counselled to do was to stop rubbing their eyes or to change their sleeping position (to avoid compressing the eye), and their keratoconus improved and/or stabilized. We have photographic evidence, videos and comparative topographic maps to demonstrate clinical and topographic stability after cessation of eye rubbing. Many of these cases have been prospectively followed for up to 9 years from the time of diagnosis.

OUR PATIENTS STORIES

OUR CASES
All these cases revealed clinical and topographic stability after the cessation of eye rubbing.
 
 
Filter Search
100
Number of cases
25
Average age of patients
30
Mean length of follow-up (months)
72
Male cases
28
Female cases
22
Unilateral cases

OUR HOME MESSAGE

MOST READED ARTICLES : TOP 3

OUR LAST ARTICLES : TOP 3

MOST VIEWED VIDEOS : TOP 3

SEE MORE VIDEOS ABOUT DIFFERENT EYE RUBBING TECHNIQUES

Eye rubbing in MRI : Sagittal cross

©  Credit to Dr Julien Savatovsky and Dr Guillaume Debellemanière

Eye rubbing in MRI : Axial cross

©  Credit to Dr Julien Savatovsky and Dr Guillaume Debellemanière

Noisy traumatic eye rubbing, in young patient with keratoconus.

News & Publications

OUR PAPERS
The latest publications, news and views on keratoconus, from experts in the field of Ophthalmology

AUTHORS

LEARN MORE ABOUT AUTHORS
  • Dr Damien GATINEL (Main Author)
  • mazharian, adrien mazharian, dr mazharian
    Dr Adrien MAZHARIAN (Main Author)
  • Dr Damien Gatinel Team & Co-Authors
  • Dr Alain SAAD (Co-Author)
  • Dr Cordelia CHAN (Special Editing Consultant)
  • Dr Radhika RAMPAT (Special Editing Consultant)
  • Dr Guillaume DEBELLEMANIERE (Co-Author)

Patient Testimonials

Since I met Dr. Gatinel’s team, I realized the importance of eye rubbing and I realized that i was rubbing my eyes more often than i thought. My disease is stable since I stopped definitely rub my eyes. Thanks to them.
Case #36Ms F.D
I would like to thank Dr. GATINEL and his team who took the time to listen to me in consultation and to explain the issue of rubbing eyes in my illness. Since that time I noticed that my rubbing was important and my entourage also pointed out to me. From now on I have definitely stopped rubbing my eyes and my illness is no longer evolving.
Case #17Mr R.M

Website Visitors’ Testimonials

« Hi, Your findings about KC and rubbing is very interesting and should help many KC’ers. I have 2 questions if you don’t mind: – Now we seem to know (thanks to you) the causes of KC, does it mean research about it will stop since there is nothing more to discover? – About contact lenses (rigid, gas permeable), can they worsen the KC on the long term? Mine are not causing me any trouble since many years, should I still change them for new ones (same prescription ) ? Thanks for your useful website, and help. Best regards « 
Bob
« My 13-year-old has keratoconus in one eye (other eye is 20/20). He never complains about itching or dry eyes. He only rubs his eyes when asleep with his knuckles. He rubs his eyes 1 – 3 times very hard, and each time for 5 – 8 seconds. We have tried many things to curtail it – encouraging him to sleep on his back, wearing googles or eye shields (he unconsciously will remove), artificial tears, treating his allergies more aggressively (allergy shots, antihistamines, allergy eye drops, nose sprays) , utilizing best practices regarding bedding (bed covers, microfiber sheets, washing sheets weekly, etc.). Nothing seems to work. We are desperate to find a solution. Your site is the only one of the Internet I’ve found that discusses eye rubbing while asleep, so thank you so much for creating this site. If you have recommendations on how we should proceed, we would greatly appreciate it. Our doctors here don’t have any recommendations. »
Darren