Rubbing your eyes is a common, instinctive reaction to tiredness, irritation, or foreign objects. While it offers temporary relief, this action can harm eye health. The eye’s delicate structures are susceptible to damage from pressure and friction. Understanding these effects helps in managing ocular discomfort safely.
Minor and Immediate Reactions
After rubbing your eyes, you may notice temporary effects. The eye can become red from increased blood flow, a natural response to irritation. A gritty or scratchy sensation often follows, as rubbing disrupts the smooth tear film coating the eye. This disruption can also lead to brief blurry vision, as the uneven tear film temporarily affects light entry. These minor reactions usually resolve quickly as the tear film re-establishes itself and irritation subsides.
Short-Term Harm
Vigorous eye rubbing can cause significant, yet typically reversible, short-term damage. A common injury is a corneal abrasion, a scratch on the clear, dome-shaped surface of the eye. This can cause pain, redness, and light sensitivity. Another effect is a subconjunctival hemorrhage, where tiny blood vessels under the conjunctiva break, resulting in a bright red spot. Rubbing eyes also increases the risk of infections like conjunctivitis (pink eye) or styes, by transferring pathogens from unwashed hands to the sensitive eye area.
Long-Term Concerns
Persistent eye rubbing can lead to long-term damage. A primary concern is keratoconus, a progressive condition where the cornea thins and bulges into a cone shape, causing distorted vision. Eye rubbing can worsen this condition or contribute to its development in susceptible individuals. For those with pre-existing conditions like glaucoma, characterized by increased eye pressure that can damage the optic nerve, eye rubbing might temporarily increase intraocular pressure, potentially disrupting blood flow to the back of the eye and contributing to nerve damage. In very rare cases, especially with predisposing factors or aggressive rubbing, retinal detachment could theoretically be a concern, though this is a less common and indirect effect.
When to See a Doctor
Seek medical attention if certain symptoms develop after rubbing your eyes. Persistent pain, especially if it feels like something is stuck, warrants professional evaluation. Significant vision changes, such as new blurriness, double vision, or a sudden decrease in acuity, should prompt a visit to an eye care professional. Other red flags include persistent redness that does not improve, any eye discharge, or increased light sensitivity. Addressing these symptoms promptly can help prevent further complications and ensure appropriate treatment.