What Happens if You Rub Your Eyes Too Much?

1. Eye Irritation

Eye irritation can occur from rubbing your eyes too much. While rubbing your eyes may be an instinctual response to irritated eyes, the action is known to exacerbate the irritation.

2. Redness

Redness can emerge as a result of rubbing your eyes. This is because it can cause tiny blood vessels to break, leading to bloodshot eyes, according to the Vision Eye Institute.

3. Increased Itching

Increased itching may happen if you rub your eyes. Rubbing your eyes is a temporary solution to itchy eyes, and can make them feel even itchier.

4. Blurry Vision

Blurry vision, either short-term or long-term, can be a result of rubbing your eyes. This is particularly true for those with pre-existing vision conditions.

5. Light Sensitivity

Light sensitivity may be noticeable soon after rubbing your eyes vigorously. After rubbing your eyes harshly, you may see flashes of light and spots in your vision before it reverts to normal.

6. Dry Eyes

Dry eyes are a common reason you may rub their eyes frequently. However, it is not an effective solution and can sometimes make your dry eyes even worse. Eye drops are a more effective treatment for dry eyes.

7. Eye Strain

Eye strain can be a reason why you may rub your eyes frequently. However, this can often lead to them feeling even more strained. It is important to manage eye strain by implementing measures such as pacing screen time and using appropriate prescription glasses recommended by your optometrist.

8. Scratching of Cornea

Corneal scratch is a possibility if you scratch your eyes too frequently or harshly. This abrasion and scratching can lead to redness, pain and watery eyes.

9. Keratoconus

Frequent and vigorous eye rubbing is strongly linked to the development and progression of keratoconus. This is because eye rubbing can break down the fibres of the cornea and make it thinner, leading to progressive keratoconus.

10. Dark Circles Around the Eyes

Dark circles can emerge around the eyes as a result of rubbing them, according to the Vision Eye Institute. These dark circles are often accompanied by bloodshot eyes.

11. Wrinkles Around the Eyes

Wrinkles around the eyes can develop if you rub the skin around the eyes harshly and vigorously.

12. Eye Infections

Eye infections are a potential complication of rubbing your eyes too much. If you rub your eye, the transference of germs from your hands can result in infections like conjunctivitis, according to the Vision Eye Institute.

13. Increased Inflammation

Increased inflammation is common among those who rub their eyes. Particularly under the eyes and on the eyelids themselves, which can become swollen and inflamed.

14. Temporary Vision Problems

Temporary vision problems can occur from rubbing your eyes. Most notably, right after rubbing your eyes, your vision may be blurred but return to normal quickly.

15. Permanent Vision Changes

Permanent vision changes are a possibility if you rub your eyes too much. Studies have shown that excessive eye rubbing can lead to the eye condition keratoconus, which can cause permanent vision deterioration.

16. Watery Eyes

Watery eyes are not necessarily a result of rubbing your eyes too much. However, they are often a sign of allergies and irritation in the eye, which can lead to an individual wanting to rub their eyes, further worsening the condition.

17. Burning Sensation

A burning sensation in the eyes is often a reaction to irritation or a lack of eye lubrication, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Irritation and dry eyes due to a lack of eye lubrication are often reasons why people may rub their eyes, potentially leading to a burning sensation.

18. Puffy Eyes

Puffy eyes are common amongst those who rub their eyes, as the friction causes the eyelids and surrounding skin to become inflamed.

Why do People Keep Rubbing Their Eyes?

People keep rubbing their eyes as a natural instinct in response to itchiness, sore eyes, tiredness, or the feeling of a foreign body inside the eye, such as dust particles.

Is Rubbing Your Eyes Bad for You?

Yes, rubbing your eyes can be bad for you, particularly if you do it frequently and harshly. Once-off and infrequent eye rubbing should not generally affect your eyes. However, it is a short-term solution and often leads to more eye rubbing. Vigorous eye rubbing can lead to corneal abrasions, tearing, eye redness, and potentially even impaired vision, according to Eye Specialists Sydney.

Can Rubbing Your Eyes Change Your Vision?

Yes, rubbing your eyes may change your vision, particularly if it is harsh and vigorous rubbing, and if you have pre-existing vision conditions.

How does Eye Rubbing Affect Eye Health?

Eye rubbing affects eye health as it can cause complications such as transferring germs, cornea damage, bloodshot eyes and worsening existing conditions such as myopia, according to Vision Eye Institute.

Why Does Rubbing Your Eyes Feel Good?

Rubbing your eyes feels good as it is an easy, instantaneous action that lubricates the ocular surface, according to Defeat Keratoconus. It is an immediate relief for dry eyes; however, it is not an effective solution.

How Can You Stop Rubbing Your Eyes?

To stop rubbing your eyes, use other methods to treat eye irritation and make sure they are used frequently during periods when you have itchy, irritated eyes. These alternatives can include eye drops, cold compresses and allergy medication, according to Vision Clinic Sydney. Read more about these alternatives below.

• Eye Drops: Eye drops are a common alternative to rubbing eyes. They can be purchased over the counter and are beneficial for dryness, irritation, and flushing out any foreign bodies that may be present.
• Cold Compresses: Cold compresses can reduce swelling, irritation, and relieve stress in the eyes, and are particularly useful for allergies.
• Allergy Medication: Allergy medications will be useful for those who have irritated eyes as a result of allergies. Make sure to consult your GP for the best treatment of your allergies, which can reduce your irritated eyes.

Is It Better to Use Eye Drops Instead of Rubbing?
Yes, it is better to use eye drops instead of rubbing. Eye drops provide sufficient lubrication to the eye's surface, making the eyes less dry and less prone to irritation. Rubbing the eyes is an instant reflex; however, it does not address any of the underlying causes of itchy eyes.

Can Prescription Glasses Help Reduce Eye Rubbing?

Prescription glasses, in some cases, may help reduce eye rubbing. Prescription glasses allow for optimal visual clarity for those with vision issues. In turn, prescription glasses can prevent eye strain and fatigue, which are common reasons individuals may rub their eyes.

It should be noted that this information is general in nature and does not replace professional medical advice.