Rubbing Your Eyes Can Harm Your Vision

Weather, allergies, infections, or even fatigue can cause itching that may lead to serious injuries to your vision.

Who has never rubbed their eyes? Bringing your hands to your eyes may seem like a simple and instinctive act, but it is important to understand that the area is sensitive and rubbing your eyes can lead to serious injuries and significant harm to your vision.

According to ophthalmologist Marília Vilas Boas from the Hospital de Olhos de Vitória, itching may be a sign that you are suffering from some type of eye allergy. “Eye allergy manifests when dust mites, dust, or pollen come into contact with the eyeball, causing itching, discomfort, redness, and irritation,” she explained.

Furthermore, according to the ophthalmologist, rubbing your eyes can cause irregularities in the cornea. “The cornea is a transparent structure that protects the eye and helps focus images. Because it is very delicate, pressure from the fingers can cause some injuries, leading to the development of diseases such as Keratoconus,” she explains.

Keratoconus is a disease that causes progressive thinning and deformation of the cornea, leading to the onset of myopia and astigmatism. “Some signs may indicate keratoconus, and we must always be attentive to them. An example is the worsening of myopia or astigmatism and the constant change in the prescription of glasses or contact lenses,” said the doctor from the Hospital de Olhos de Vitória.

To avoid the problem, the best remedy is prevention, that is, do not put your hands on your eyes. The medical recommendation is not to rub your eyes. If any allergy symptoms arise, such as redness or discharge from the eyes, it is ideal to consult a specialist doctor so that appropriate treatment can be initiated, thus preventing the worsening of the condition and the possibility of other problems such as keratoconus.