Have you ever experienced itchy, dry, or irritated eyes? It is common to feel the urge to rub them for relief, but did you know that this can cause serious damage in the long run? 

 Rubbing your eyes can lead to infections, inflammation, and even vision loss. It is important to understand the harmful effects of this habit and find alternative solutions.  

Join us as we delve into the consequences of rubbing your eyes and offer practical advice for maintaining healthy vision. We will provide you with solutions as well. Let us dig in! 

Why Do We Rub Our Eyes? 

Some experts suggest eye allergies and dry eyes lead to eye rubbing. Now, what is dry eye? Well, the absence of enough tears in your eyes leads to dry eyes.  

It paves the way toward itching and burning. Some of the other causes are: 

• Sleep disturbances or insomnia 
• Contact lens irritation 
• Vision issues that need correction 
• The wrong vision prescription 
• Blepharitis (infected or irritated eyelids, styes) 
• Having a cold or flu 
• Eye infections like pink eye or conjunctivitis 

Consult your eye doctor immediately if you face any of the above issues with constantly rubbing your eyes. 

Why Is Rubbing Your Eyes Bad? 

Keep reading to uncover the reasons: 

• Keratoconus 
• A recent study says that continuous rubbing of your eyes can cause thinning of the corneal tissue, which weakens the cornea and pushes it forward to become more conical. Also referred to as Keratoconus- it is a serious problem that distorts your vision. Under such situations, you need to opt for specialised contact lenses like scleral lenses or a corneal transplant. 
• Foreign Objects Inside Your Eyes 
• Sometimes, foreign particles tend to enter our eyes. That is when we end up rubbing our eyes to remove the particle. Rubbing the object might scratch your cornea- it is a serious issue that needs to be addressed. You can opt for artificial tears and saline solution to get rid of the particles. 
• Dirty Hands 
• Touching and rubbing your eyes with dirty hands is harmful- bacteria and germs might enter your eyes. In no time, you can get exposed to conjunctivitis. Ensure to wash your hands with water and soap- it is a hygienic practice that keeps several diseases at bay. 
• Pre-existing Eye Conditions 
• Some people deal with certain pre-existing eye conditions like glaucoma or progressive myopia. Rubbing your eyes in these kinds of situations can worsen your eyesight. Avoid permanent vision loss or nerve damage by appearing for an eye test. 
• Dark Circles 
• Eye rubbing causes tiny blood vessels to break, which in turn causes bloodshot eyes (red eyes) and dark circles under the eyes. One usually tries to cover them with makeup for a better appeal. 

How to Stop Rubbing Your Eyes? 

Let us take note without any further ado: 

• Use artificial tears or eye drops to keep your eyes hydrated. They are available over the counter at pharmacies and are particularly effective against dry eyes. 
• To avoid chronic eye rubbing in more complex cases, such as allergy sufferers, steroid eye drops can be used. 
• Excessive eye rubbing should be addressed to prevent ocular and vision damage, whether caused by chronic dry eye, itchy eyes, or habit. 
• Make sure to have a proper sleep schedule and use eye drops for dry eyes. 
• Since most of the work involves using screens, one can have blue light blocker glasses for an extra layer of protection. 
• If you cannot resist your hands from touching your own face, consider wearing mittens and gloves. 

The Bottom Line 

Rubbing your eyes for solving short-term problems is not a proper solution- it makes room for long-term concerns. Precaution is always better than cure- get eye tests and take proper measures.