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If you rub your eyes frequently, schedule an appointment with an optometrist. While you might have allergies or dry eye, engaging in the practice too often can be harmful. Not only does it have the potential to cause sickness and discomfort in the short term, but it can also lead to long-lasting optical damage. Here are a few reasons why it’s essential to quit the habit. 

Why You Should Stop Rubbing Your Eyes 

1. Infection 

OptometristYour hands carry millions of bacteria each day. Rubbing with dirty hands will transfer those germs to your eyes, which can cause a variety of optical infections, including conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye. This contagious, easily spreadable illness causes uncomfortable symptoms, such as redness and inflammation. 

2. Injury 

When you get a piece of debris or dust in your eye, your first instinct might be to rub it away. However, brushing your hand or fingers against a foreign object can cause you to scrape your eye’s surface. This area, also known as the cornea, plays an important role in focusing your vision. Injury to the cornea often causes pain and blurriness. In some cases, an optometrist might recommend surgical treatment to relieve symptoms. 

3. Complications 

Eye rubbing can lead to several long-term side effects, such as the thinning of your cornea. This condition leads to impaired vision and might require patients to receive a corneal graft. People with eye conditions like glaucoma can also increase the pressure in their eye by rubbing. This action can lead to nerve damage and permanent vision loss. 

 

Nearly everyone rubs their eyes from time to time. However, if you do it frequently, an eye exam from an optometrist can determine the cause and decide if you have damage. Daniel J. Kroger OD in West Chester, OH, has over 25 years of experience treating eye conditions. To schedule an appointment with the optometrist, call (513) 777-3936 today, or visit them online to learn more about their services. 

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