When the eyes are itchy, droopy, tired, or sleepy, it is not uncommon for people to reflexively rub their eyes. However, this habit can actually be dangerous to your health if done too often. So, what are the dangers of rubbing your eyes?
Danger of rubbing your eyes
The following are various dangers that lurk due to rubbing your eyes too often:
1. Red eyes and panda eyes
The habit of rubbing your eyes can cause small blood vessels in the eyes to burst. This can make the eyes red or dark circles appear under the eyes (panda eyes). This condition may not be painful, but it can interfere with your appearance.
2. Eye irritation
The danger of rubbing your eyes can also occur due to friction from foreign objects or pressure that occurs in the eyes, one of which is irritation. Afterwards, swelling can occur as the body’s response to the irritation. It is not uncommon for this swelling to also cause pain in the eyes.
3. Eye infections
When you rub your eyes, germs from your hands can easily be transferred. This can trigger eye infections, such as conjunctivitis.
Conjunctivitis is inflammation of the thin membrane that lines the white of the eye and the inside of the eyelid. This condition can cause red, itchy and watery eyes.
4. Corneal damage
The movement of rubbing the eyes is often repeated and rough, which risks causing damage to the cornea. This generally occurs when a foreign object enters the eye, such as when blinking.
Well, rubbing your eyes can cause friction with the foreign object, resulting in scratches and damage to the cornea. This condition is called corneal abrasion.
5. Eye problems are getting worse
Do you have any eye problems? If so, rubbing your eyes can make it worse.
For example, when people with progressive myopia rub their eyes, this can worsen their vision.
Meanwhile, in glaucoma sufferers, pressure from rubbing the eyes can disrupt blood flow to the back of the eye and cause nerve damage. As a result, sufferers can experience permanent vision loss.
6. Keratoconus
The danger of rubbing your eyes continuously can lead to changes in the shape of the cornea. This condition is called keratoconus, which is a condition when the cornea of the eye becomes thinner and becomes more conical in shape.
Kerotoconus can cause vision problems, possibly even requiring a cornea graft in the future.
Immediately consult a doctor if you experience symptoms that indicate eye damage, such as eye pain, sensitivity to light, decreased visual ability, red or inflamed eyes, blurred vision, headaches, nausea, and fatigue.
With the various dangers of rubbing your eyes that can occur, it’s best to avoid this habit from now on.
How to Safely Remove Eyelashes that Get in the Eye
Do this to avoid the danger of rubbing your eyes
To avoid the dangers of rubbing your eyes, you can do the following things when your eyes sting, itch or feel stuck:
- Wash your hands with soap and clean running water for 20 seconds
- Clean dirt from the eyes, for example using sterile gauze or tissue
- Remove contact lenses when you don’t need to wear them, for example when going to bed
- Rinse the eyes with clean water and blink several times
- Compress the eyes using a washcloth soaked in warm water
- Use eye drops to make it feel more comfortable
How to Choose Eye Drops According to Your Eye Condition?
You can buy eye drops that are sold freely at pharmacies. But make sure you use it according to the instructions for use or consult a doctor first.
Remember that rubbing your eyes can feel relieving. Unfortunately, this habit is not worth the risk of harm it causes.
