Rubbing your eyes not only increases the risk of eye infections but can also cause corneal damage.
Ophthalmologist Nimmi Mistry warns that rubbing your eyes due to sleepiness, stress, or itchy eyes can lead to adverse effects.
Rubbing your eyes due to sleepiness, stress, or even allergies can have negative effects. (Image: Shutterstock).
This habit is an “automatic reaction for everyone when their eyes feel tired or uncomfortable.” This seemingly harmless action can lead to “many problems.”
Ophthalmologist Nimmi Mistry explains: “Phones, laptops, and desks are filled with germs, including Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus, which can transfer to the eyes just by touching and cause potential eye infections like bacterial conjunctivitis.”
Moreover, rubbing your eyes can damage them. “Rubbing your eyes forcefully can scratch the cornea, the outermost part of the eye, making it more susceptible to infections,” she added.
The Cleveland Clinic warns that rubbing your eyes can move your eyelashes, causing them to scrape the cornea “with each blink.” This can lead to a condition known as keratoconus (where the cornea becomes cone-shaped instead of round).
“When the cornea weakens, it can develop into a cone instead of a smooth dome. This cone bends light incorrectly, and wearing glasses does not correct vision,” ophthalmologist Dr. Weston Tuten told the Cleveland Clinic, explaining that this condition requires special and expensive contact lenses.
Symptoms of corneal damage include light sensitivity, blurred or decreased vision, inflammation, headaches, eye pain, fatigue, and nausea.
If you cannot resist touching your eyes, ophthalmologist Nimmi Mistry emphasizes the importance of hand washing. Additionally, individuals can use clean tissues to wipe their hands.
“Eye hygiene is crucial, so you should ensure that you always wash your hands and avoid touching your eyes unless necessary,” she said.
