Since it’s a natural instinct to rub your eyes occasionally when they itch, this action is actually detrimental to your eye health. Eye doctors warn against this, as you can scratch your cornea if there is any debris in your eye. The guide below outlines why rubbing your eyes is risky and what you can do to alleviate irritated eyes.

Understanding Eye Rubbing Risks

What Damage Can Eye Rubbing Cause? 

In addition to causing undereye circles due to broken blood vessels, rubbing your eyes can also scratch your corneas, making the irritation feel worse. Additionally, since your fingers and hands tend to collect viruses and bacteria, rubbing could introduce microorganisms to your eyes, leading to infections. 

Frequent rubbing can also distort the cornea, leading to a condition called keratoconus. This progressive eye disease occurs when the cornea thins and starts to become deformed, transitioning from a round shape to a bulging and cone-shaped eyeball. As a result, the eyes can become more nearsighted, and the person may start developing problems with blurriness and distorted vision.  

How Can I Alleviate Irritated Eyes?

Whether you struggle with frequent itchiness or aching, at-home remedies and eye doctor appointments can help. If you live with eye irritation, purchase a gel-filled eye pack and keep it in the refrigerator. When your eyes start to itch, use the eye pack to calm the sensation.

Using eye drops can also help with itchiness, redness, and eye allergies, so talk with your eye doctor about the right varieties for your particular eye health issues. They can also check your eye anatomy for problems and talk with you about common allergens or seasons that could be contributing to discomfort. 

If you’ve noticed that you rub your eyes frequently, reach out to the eye doctors at Jamison Eye Care in Rochester, NY. With a commitment to working with their patients to identify and resolve vision and eye health problems, they can help with everything from basic eye exams to surgical care. Find out more about the services they offer by visiting their website or calling (585) 225-5883 to schedule an appointment.