Do You Like to Rub Your Eyes? Stop This Habit so Your Eyes can Avoid Problems

Rubbing your eyes may seem trivial and is often done unconsciously. Especially when the eyes feel itchy, tired, or when they are exposed to dust. But, did you know that this habit can have a serious impact on your eye health?

 

Poking your eyes can have a risk of developing keratoconus, what is keratoconus, which is a condition where the cornea of the eye thins and slowly changes shape to become more conical. Normally, the cornea is perfectly round and functions to focus light for clear vision. However, when the cornea turns into a cone the vision becomes blurry and the binder experienced will get worse.

 

According to research by the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), rubbing the eyes or rubbing the eyes is one of the things that can worsen the condition of keratoconus, especially for those who already have a genetic history of this eye disease.

 

Apart from keratoconus, rubbing the eyes can also cause irritation and infection. Our hands contain many bacteria and germs that can be transferred to the eyes when rubbed. Infected eyes may become inflamed, swollen and sensitive to light as bacteria and germs enter through our hands.

 

Signs of Eye Problems

 

You may not realize the impact of rubbing your eyes. However, some of these symptoms could be signs of keratoconus or other problems with your eyes, among others:

• Blurry or hazy vision despite wearing glasses.
• The eyes feel sensitive to light.
• Eyes are often red or irritated.
• Vision becomes shadowy.

 

Now if you experience these symptoms, immediately consult an ophthalmologist to get treatment and check your eye health condition.

 

Then how to deal with itching in your eyes?

 

Rubbing your eyes does make you feel relieved for a moment, but it can actually worsen the condition in the long run, instead, there are several ways to overcome the itching in your eyes, take a look, Friends of Hermina, including:

• Use eye drops to relieve irritation and itching in the eyes.
• Compress the eyes with a clean cloth dampened with cold water.
• Avoid touching your eyes when your hands are dirty, and always wash your hands before touching the facial area.

 

Therefore, habits such as rubbing your eyes may not have any effect, but the impact can create serious problems in your eyes. So don't take it for granted from now on! Let's stop these habits for your eye health.

 

Reference:

1. American Academy of Ophthalmology. (2020). Keratoconus. Accessed from https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-is-keratoconus
2. EmedicineHealth. (2021). Keratoconus Treatment. Accessed from https://www.emedicinehealth.com/keratoconus/article_em.htm
3. National Health Service (NHS). (2020). Conjunctivitis (pink eye). Accessed from https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/conjunctivitis/