Who hasn’t felt the urgent need to rub their eyes? Whether it’s itching, irritation, or just fatigue, scratching your eyes for extended periods of time can be pleasurable… but did you know that this seemingly harmless behavior can have serious consequences for your eye health? In this article, we detail the risks associated with eye rubbing and tell you how to better protect your vision.
These are the main consequences of rubbing your eyes
When you scratch your eye, you may feel temporary relief, but you may suffer long-term problems. According to Eurocanarias Oftalmológica, this seemingly trivial behavior can lead to:
Eye injuries. If you rub your eyes hard or use your fingernails, you may scratch your cornea. This is the clear outer layer of the eye, and any damage to it can cause pain and affect vision. Read here: This is what life is like for someone with myopia in Cartagena
Infect. You may have heard that hands are a breeding ground for bacteria and viruses, and if you touch your eyes without washing your hands, you may spread these bacteria, increasing your risk of conjunctivitis and other eye infections.
Risk of myopia and glaucoma. Continuous friction can cause changes in the shape of the eye (especially in children), increasing the chance of developing myopia. Additionally, this friction increases intraocular pressure, which is a risk factor for glaucoma.
Remember: According to the Mayo Clinic, myopia “is a common vision condition in which near objects appear clear and distant objects appear blurry. When the shape of the eye or the shape of certain parts of the eye causes light to be blurred This happens when it is bent (refracted) correctly. Light that should be focused on the nerve tissue at the back of the eye (retina) is focused in front of the retina.” In reality: it’s the difficulty of seeing distant objects clearly. Also read: Can myopia be prevented?Take a good look at how to prevent it
Glaucoma is a disease that damages the optic nerve of the eye. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, “This condition usually occurs when fluid accumulates in the front of the eye. “Excess fluid can increase pressure in the eye and damage the optic nerve. “
Be wary of corneal deformities
The cornea acts as a window that allows light to enter the eye. However, frequent eye rubbing can cause the cornea to thin and start to bulge, a condition called keratoconus, according to Bogotá Laser. This malformation can distort vision and, in severe cases, may require a corneal transplant. Read: Cornea Donation: Eyes Beyond Death
What should we do to avoid scratches?
Prevention is always the best medicine. To minimize the need to rub your eyes, follow these tips from Barraquer:
Wash your hands frequently to reduce the risk of spreading germs to your eyes.
Keep your eyes moist. If your eyes feel dry, you can use artificial tears.
Important tip: Ask an expert. If you experience persistent itching or irritation, your eye doctor can provide more specific solutions.