Eyes burning and itching, a relentless urge to rub them for relief? You give in, pressing your fingers into your eyelids, hoping the pressure will soothe the discomfort. Instead, your eyes grow redder, more irritated, and the relief is fleeting. This common scenario is one many people experience daily, often unaware of the potential damage they are causing.
Causes of eye irritation:
Various factors can cause eye irritation. Allergic eye disease is triggered by allergens such as pollen, dust, and pet dander, leading to itching and irritation. Conjunctivitis, commonly known as pink eye, is an infection that results in redness, itching, and a gritty feeling. Additionally, foreign bodies like small particles or substances in the eye can cause significant discomfort and a strong urge to rub. Ophthalmologists strongly advise against rubbing your eyes, emphasising that the risks far outweigh the momentary comfort.
Rubbing your eyes might seem harmless, but it can lead to serious long-term consequences. Ophthalmologist, Dr Uday Tekchandani, Dr Agarwals Eye Hospital, Wadala, warns that this habit can cause a variety of eye problems, some of which can be severe and irreversible. “Many people suffer from constant irritation or itching of the eyes which compels them to rub their eyes. Such symptoms can be a sign of allergic eye disease, conjunctivitis or a foreign body on the surface of the eye, among other reasons” says Dr Tekchandani.
Dr Tekchandani highlights the various risks of rubbing your eyes and offers some preventive tips:
Cornea distortion: Rubbing can distort the shape of the cornea, leading to issues like cylindrical power in spectacles or keratoconus, a condition where the cornea thins and bulges outwards.
Progressive disease: Keratoconus, this disease progresses from needing laser therapy in early stages to requiring a corneal transplant in advanced cases if the cornea becomes too thin.
Eyelid muscle weakening: Rubbing of the eyes also results in weakening of the muscles of the eyelid and causes drooping of the eyelid resulting in a disease called ptosis where one eye appears smaller than the other and requires a surgical treatment for its correction.
Increased inflammation: Rubbing of eyes induces more inflammation on the surface of the eye which actually makes the patient want to rub even more and causes the eye to become red, thus resulting in a vicious cycle.
Higher infection risk: Rubbing of the eyes can cause repeated eye infections such as stye or conjunctivitis. It can cause the front layer of the cornea (epithelium) to scrape off causing extensive pain, watering, sensitivity to light and predispose to corneal infections and ulcerations. You should completely refrain from rubbing of eyelids.
Prevention tips to avoid eye rubbing:
Avoid irritants: Minimise exposure to known allergens and irritants to reduce the urge to rub your eyes.
Use lubricating eye drops: Artificial tears can help soothe and lubricate the eyes, reducing dryness and irritation.
Practice good hygiene: Wash your hands frequently and avoid touching your face, especially your eyes, to prevent introducing bacteria and irritants.
Gentle eyelid massaging: If advised by an ophthalmologist, gently massage your eyelids to relieve inflammation without directly rubbing the eyes.
Seek professional medical advice: Identify and treat underlying conditions by consulting an ophthalmologist for allergies or infections causing eye irritation. Always seek professional advice before using any medications or eye drops, as some over-the-counter drops contain steroids that can cause serious issues like fungal infections and irreversible blindness due to increased eye pressure and optic nerve damage (glaucoma).
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