Rubbing your eyes may feel comforting when they are tired, itchy, or irritated, but it carries risks that are often overlooked. What seems like a harmless reflex can lead to serious and lasting eye damage if done too often or too hard.
One common consequence is skin and blood vessel damage. Rubbing can break tiny capillaries, causing red, bloodshot eyes and dark under eye circles. It can also stretch or thin the delicate eyelid skin, encouraging premature lines or puffiness.
This habit also raises infection risk. Hands tend to gather germs throughout the day, and touching your eyes transfers any microbes directly to your sensitive ocular surface. Infections such as conjunctivitis, commonly known as pink eye, can result.
More significantly, rubbing your eyes repeatedly can damage key eye structures. It may cause scratches on the cornea if you accidentally press a foreign particle against your eye, or thin the cornea over time. This chronic rubbing is linked to keratoconus, a serious condition where the cornea warps into a cone shape, affecting vision and sometimes requiring surgical intervention.
For individuals with certain conditions like glaucoma or progressing nearsightedness, rubbing can worsen matters even further. It can spike intraocular pressure, disrupt blood flow, and accelerate damage to the optic nerve or contribute to worsening vision.
Fortunately, there are safer alternatives. If dust or particles irritate your eyes, flush them gently with sterile saline or artificial tears. For dryness or allergies, lubricating or antihistamine drops can help alleviate the urge to rub. If you rub out of habit or stress, occupying your hands with a stress ball or similar can provide relief without putting your eyes at risk.
