Here is all you need to know about why rubbing your eyes is harmful. Every time you will ask your doctor, they will invariably say: Don’t Rub Your Eyes!
Why is rubbing your eyes harmful?
Besides damaging the structure of the eye, eye rubbing can create a number of other issues, including:
- Cosmetic: Excessive eye rubbing can cause darkening of the eyelid skin, dark circles, and wrinkles around the eyes.
- Damage: If you have something in your eye, rubbing can cause more damage. It can cause corneal abrasions, lacerations and even sight threatening complications. Its best to let tears flush out the irritant. If that doesn’t work, gently wash your eyes with water. Always seek medical help in case of a foreign body in the eye.
- Hygiene and infections: Your hands invariably have germs: this can result in infections like conjunctivitis, stye, and even corneal ulcers.
Don’t Rub Your Eyes: You can damage them
Eye rubbing can also cause and aggravate a corneal disease called keratoconus. In this, a structural abnormality of the cornea (thinning and distortion) results in poor vision.
Other conditions that can potentially worsen include myopia and glaucoma.
Any trauma to the eye can be worsened if you rub your eyes.
Why does rubbing eyes feel so good?
The Meibomian Glands produce the oily component of the tear film, which helps lubricate the eyes. This causes symptomatic relief instantly.
Also the release of histamine, makes you feels good in the moment, but actually aggravates the itching.
If you rub your eyes often, here’s what to do
Let’s try to determine (and resolve) the cause for eye rubbing.
- Are your eyes tired? Is your screen time too much? Digital eye strain can cause eye rubbing. Remember to take regular breaks from the computer.
- Schedule your eye exam to check whether you need a new vision prescription for glasses.
- Check if you have eye allergies or dry eye. If you find yourself rubbing your eyes during allergy season, identify and avoid your allergy triggers.
- Don’t Rub Your Eyes: Remember, it does more harm than good!
