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Peer-reviewedCC BY 4.0Metabolites

From Itch to Injury: An Emerging Link Between Allergic Conjunctivitis, Eye Rubbing and Lid Wiper Epitheliopathy

  • Luke X. Chong1,2,3
  • Olivia Jagiello1
  • Rinu Thomas1,2,3
  • Ereeny Mikhail1,2,3
  • Serap Azizoğlu1,2,3
  • Moneisha Gokhale1,2,3
  1. 1School of Medicine (Optometry), Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Geelong, VIC 3216, Australia
  2. 2NeuroAllergy Research Laboratory (NARL), School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Geelong, VIC 3216, Australia
  3. 3Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT), Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3216, Australia
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Abstract

Allergic conjunctivitis (AC) is a common inflammatory ocular surface disease characterised by ocular itch, conjunctival redness, tearing, and frequent eye rubbing. Although the link between AC, eye rubbing and development of keratoconus is well established, the relationship between AC and lid wiper epitheliopathy (LWE) is less understood. Recent studies have identified a potential association between AC and LWE, suggesting that friction-induced damage to the lid wiper region may represent an under-recognised consequence of allergic conjunctivitis. This review synthesises current evidence linking allergic conjunctivitis, eye rubbing, ocular surface friction, and LWE, while highlighting emerging mechanistic insights from multi-omics research. LWE has potential as a novel clinical indicator of AC and may provide additional diagnostic value alongside other established biomarkers.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{chong2026from,
  title = {{From Itch to Injury: An Emerging Link Between Allergic Conjunctivitis, Eye Rubbing and Lid Wiper Epitheliopathy}},
  author = {Luke X. Chong and Olivia Jagiello and Rinu Thomas and Ereeny Mikhail and Serap Azizoğlu and Moneisha Gokhale},
  journal = {Metabolites},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.3390/metabo16100779},
  url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/16/10/779},
  note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - From Itch to Injury: An Emerging Link Between Allergic Conjunctivitis, Eye Rubbing and Lid Wiper Epitheliopathy
AU  - Luke X. Chong
AU  - Olivia Jagiello
AU  - Rinu Thomas
AU  - Ereeny Mikhail
AU  - Serap Azizoğlu
AU  - Moneisha Gokhale
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/14
JO  - Metabolites
DO  - 10.3390/metabo16100779
UR  - https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/16/10/779
AB  - Allergic conjunctivitis (AC) is a common inflammatory ocular surface disease characterised by ocular itch, conjunctival redness, tearing, and frequent eye rubbing. Although the link between AC, eye rubbing and development of keratoconus is well established, the relationship between AC and lid wiper epitheliopathy (LWE) is less understood. Recent studies have identified a potential association between AC and LWE, suggesting that friction-induced damage to the lid wiper region may represent an under-recognised consequence of allergic conjunctivitis. This review synthesises current evidence linking allergic conjunctivitis, eye rubbing, ocular surface friction, and LWE, while highlighting emerging mechanistic insights from multi-omics research. LWE has potential as a novel clinical indicator of AC and may provide additional diagnostic value alongside other established biomarkers.
SN  - 2218-1989
ER  -