June 8, 2022

Eye health: why you shouldn't rub your eyes

Rubbing your eyes is a very, very bad habit... Many ophthalmologists are sounding the alarm and warning the general public about a little-known risk: keratoconus. This deformation of the cornea can indeed lead to major visual problems. Explanations.

Why do we rub our eyes?

Who hasn't felt that irrepressible urge to rub their eyelids when tiredness sets in? Or in the presence of a strong wind? This gesture, which we make without really noticing it, is really useful. It allows us to distribute the tears on the surface of the eye, and also to evacuate any impurities present. In fact, it is this tear film - secreted by the lacrimal glands - that protects our ocular structures from external aggression, and that allows the cornea to maintain a good level of hydration.

Is rubbing your eyes dangerous?

Indeed, doing this too regularly can have a considerable impact on eye health. Bringing your hands to your eyes can spread viruses and bacteria, which can have unfortunate repercussions, such as conjunctivitis or keratitis. But for some time now, some health professionals suspect that this gesture increases the risk of keratoconus. Indeed, many patients treated for this degenerative disease declare to rub their eyes constantly.

What is keratoconus?

This ocular pathology results from a progressive deformation and thinning of the cornea. The damage is manifested by a decrease in visual acuity, excessive sensitivity to light (photophobia) and ocular irritation. The problem with keratoconus is that it sets in insidiously without you necessarily realizing it at first. It can take months or years to appear. But in the long term, it causes an irreversible deterioration of vision, and requires the wearing of specific lenses, or even surgery for the most severe forms.

How to prevent keratoconus?

Specialists recommend keeping eye rubbing to a minimum. Of course, it is possible to touch the corner of the eyes to remove an impurity. But rubbing the eyelids with all the fingers, or even with clenched fists, should be avoided, as the repercussions on the eye can be significant. It is advisable to teach young people to limit this type of movement: on the one hand, to reduce the risk of keratoconus and, on the other hand, because their eye structures are not yet mature and, therefore, much more fragile. Rather than rubbing your eyes whenever you feel the need, try blinking more first. This simple movement serves to evenly distribute your tears, and naturally flush out any debris.