Introduction
Rubbing the eyes is a very common activity, usually done in response to eye infections, allergies, or other health conditions. It may become a behavior in some individuals and can predispose them to various diseases. Rubbing of the eyes can develop as a chronic habit or condition, and the person might experience ocular problems.
What Happens During Eye Rubbing?
Rubbing the eyes can stimulate the tear flow, help lubricate dry eyes, and also help remove irritants. Gently rubbing the eyes can be therapeutic. Rubbing the eyeballs can stimulate the vagus nerve. Rubbing the eyes too hard can cause damage to the eyes.
What Is Ocular Pruritus?
It is clinically described as an unpleasant desire to scratch the eyes. Allergic conjunctivitis or dry eyes can cause ocular pruritus. It has a high prevalence among women. Eye rubbing is a behavioral manifestation. The eye rubbing may begin spontaneously, after waking up, or during fatigue. The exact cause of pruritus is unknown. Ocular pruritus and eye rubbing are closely related. It can become an addictive disorder.
What Causes Eye Rubbing?
- Eye rubbing may be initiated as a benign activity while walking, sitting, before sleep, or in response to fatigue. This can become problematic when it is too aggressive or formed as a frequent habit.
- Several conditions can cause eye rubbing.
- Eye infections like conjunctivitis or pink eye is a common infection of the eye where it makes the eyes red and itchy.
- Rubbing provocations- Many factors can be addressed as provocative, for eye rubbing.
The factors include
- Ocular irritation.
- Blepharitis.
- Styes.
- Sexual deviation.
- Mental stress.
- Psychosis.
- Ritual meditation.
- Allergies can cause itchy and watery eyes.
- When rubbing the eyes, histamines are released from the eye, which makes the itching worse and can lead to more aggressive eye itching.
What Are the Injuries Caused by the Rubbing of Eyes?
- Eye pain.
- Light sensitivity.
- Blurred vision.
- Redness of the eye.
- Reduced vision.
- Headache.
- Nausea.
What Is Keratoconus and How It Is Related to Eye Rubbing?
- Keratoconus is an eye condition in which the normal round shape of the cornea changes to have a bulge outward like a cone and becomes thinner.
- Continuous rubbing of the eyes for a long time can lead to the development of keratoconus.
- A cone-shaped cornea causes blurred vision, double vision, and halos appearing around the bright light. In most cases, both eyes are affected.
- The changes in the cornea make it difficult for the eyes to focus on an object. In the initial stages, vision can be corrected with eyeglasses or soft contact lenses.
What Is the Oculo-cardiac Reflex?
- Vigorous eye rubbing can put more pressure on the eyeball. The increase in pressure on the eyeball reduces the heart rate, due to the association between the trigeminal and vagus nerves.
- The oculo-cardiac reflex is a physiological response of the heart to the physical stimulation in the eye.
- Increased pressure in the eyeball can create a vagal response. This can reduce the heart rate by more than 20 percent and reduce arterial pressure, causing asystole or even cardiac arrest.
- The common side effect is bradycardia, a slow heart rate.
What Are the Damages Caused to the Eye by Rubbing?
- Frequent rubbing of the eyes can break tiny blood vessels in the eye, leading to redness or bloodshot eye.
- Makes dark undereye circles.
- In terms of hygiene, most of the time, the hands are covered with bacteria. Rubbing with unwashed hands can cause infection of the conjunctiva.
- When a foreign body is struck inside the eye, rubbing the eyes can cause more corneal scratches and damage.
- In pre-existing eye conditions, frequent rubbing of the eyes can even worsen the eyesight.
- In glaucoma patients, frequent eye rubbing may increase the ocular pressure and disrupt the blood flow.
- Continuous eye rubbing can make the cornea thin and leads to a condition called keratoconus.
- Eye rubbing following a LASIK surgery can cause complications and can affect the wound healing process.
- Eye rubbing after corneal graft surgery or cataract surgery can cause mechanical ocular trauma. Rubbing can cause displacement of the implanted ocular lens. The wound healing is also delayed.
- In patients with keratoconus, sudden elevation in the intraocular pressure causes a break in Descemet's membrane and leads to acute corneal hydrops. The mechanical trauma from eye rubbing also contributes to it. Corneal hydrops refers to swelling of the cornea, when there is a break in the corneal layer and results in the leakage of fluid to the inner layer of the cornea called stroma. It causes cloudiness and a white spot on the cornea, making the vision blurry. Eye rubbing is a risk factor for corneal hydrops.
- While wearing a contact lens, rubbing of eyes is inhibited. Rubbing the eyes vigorously with a contact lens can cause mechanical trauma or edema and increase the chance of rubbing-induced trauma upon removal of the contact lens.
How to Stop Rubbing Behavior?
Rubbing eyes is not recommended for any health situation. Rubbing can damage the eyes and can make the eyes more itchy.
- The best way to prevent frequent rubbing of the eyes is to keep hydrated and prevent itching. Artificial tears or medicated eye drops should be used to relieve the itching.
- Excessive eye rubbing should be addressed with the doctor, to prevent complications
- If anything is stuck in the eye, flush the eyes with clean water. If available can use sterile saline or artificial tears.
- Place a cool, damp clean cloth over the eyes, instead of rubbing eyes.
- Use artificial tears or lubricants to relieve the itching sensation.
- If the discomfort persists, consult your doctor immediately.
- Patients undergoing LASIK surgery are advised to use plastic shields and not to touch the eyes often.
Conclusion
Rubbing of the eyes is an act that is not allowed under any circumstances. It can damage the eyes and make eyes more irritated and itchy. Extensive eye rubbing leads to corneal scratching. When it feels irritated or itchy, wash the hands and then the eyes with clean water. If the irritation continues, consult a doctor.
