What Are the Side Effects of Rubbing Your Eyes
Rubbing the eyes is a common reflex when they feel irritated, tired, or itchy. Although this action may temporarily relieve discomfort, frequent or forceful rubbing can damage delicate eye structures and lead to various complications.
Mechanical Damage to the Cornea
The cornea is the clear front layer of the eye that helps focus light. It is covered by a thin layer of epithelial cells that can be disrupted by repeated friction. Rubbing the eyes can cause small abrasions known as corneal abrasions, which may result in pain, tearing, redness, and sensitivity to light. In individuals who already have a corneal disorder or dry eye, these abrasions can take longer to heal and may increase the risk of infection.
Excessive rubbing can also affect the shape of the cornea. Over time, this mechanical pressure can lead to corneal thinning and bulging, a condition known as keratoconus. Keratoconus causes irregular astigmatism and distorted vision that may require rigid contact lenses or corneal cross-linking to stabilize. In advanced cases, corneal transplantation may be necessary.
Worsening of Existing Eye Conditions
For individuals with certain eye diseases, rubbing can worsen the condition or interfere with healing. After eye surgeries such as LASIK, cataract extraction, or corneal transplants, rubbing can disrupt the surgical site and compromise recovery. In glaucoma, eye rubbing can transiently increase intraocular pressure, which may further damage the optic nerve and accelerate vision loss.
Those with chronic allergies are also at higher risk. Rubbing the eyes releases histamine and other inflammatory mediators from surrounding tissues, which worsens itching, swelling, and redness. This cycle of itching and rubbing can perpetuate ocular surface inflammation and make allergic conjunctivitis more difficult to control.
Risk of Infection
The hands frequently come into contact with bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens. When someone rubs their eyes, these microorganisms can be transferred to the conjunctiva or corneal surface. This increases the risk of infections such as bacterial conjunctivitis, viral conjunctivitis, or keratitis. These infections can cause pain, discharge, redness, and blurred vision. In severe cases, untreated infections can threaten vision.
Touching or rubbing the eyes can also exacerbate viral spread, especially in the case of adenoviral conjunctivitis, which is highly contagious. For this reason, eye rubbing should be strictly avoided during active infections or outbreaks.
Damage to Surrounding Tissues
Rubbing the eyes does not only affect internal eye structures but also the surrounding skin and blood vessels. The eyelid skin is among the thinnest on the body, making it prone to irritation and discoloration. Frequent rubbing can cause dark circles, puffiness, and premature wrinkling around the eyes.
Small blood vessels beneath the skin or conjunctiva can rupture due to pressure, resulting in red spots or subconjunctival hemorrhage. Although this condition typically resolves without treatment, it may be alarming and is another indicator that the eyes are being subjected to excessive force.
Temporary Visual Disturbances
Some people experience brief visual disturbances after rubbing their eyes. This can include flashes of light or the perception of colors. These effects occur when mechanical stimulation affects the retina or optic nerve. While these visual effects are usually temporary, they highlight the sensitivity of ocular tissues to physical pressure. Repeated or intense rubbing can potentially cause retinal complications in susceptible individuals, particularly those with high myopia or a history of retinal thinning.
Aggravation of Dry Eye Symptoms
In people with dry eye disease, rubbing often worsens symptoms rather than improving them. The act of rubbing can disturb the tear film that protects the ocular surface. It can remove the lipid layer that prevents tear evaporation, leading to more dryness and irritation. Rubbing may also stimulate reflex tearing, which offers temporary relief but does not restore proper tear film stability. This can create a cycle of dryness, discomfort, and rubbing that becomes difficult to break.
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