What are the side effects of rubbing eyes too hard?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 22-year-old female. I realized I have a white spot on the edge of my iris for many years. I thought it was the light or some kind of dust so I tried to remove it but it would not go away. So I thought it has something to do with infections. I want to know what it is. I use spectacles and lenses but mostly spectacles. I have a bad habit of rubbing my eyes hard. Sometimes when there is dust, I tried to do it until it is gone. In the end, my eyes get swollen and the thin membrane or skin (which I thought is the dust) in the inner lid came out. What could it be? Please help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and understand your concern. You may have allergic conjunctivitis. Eye allergies, called allergic conjunctivitis, are a common condition that occurs when the eyes react to something that irritates them (called an allergen). The eyes produce a substance called histamine to fight off the allergen. As a result, the eyelids and conjunctiva (the thin, filmy membrane that covers the inside of your eyelids) become red, swollen, and itchy, with tearing and burning. Avoid or limit contact with the substance causing the problem. Avoid rubbing eyes instead do cold compresses. Use antiallergic eyedrops like Olopat (Olopatadine) eyedrops twice daily. Lubricating eye drops like Flogel (Polyethylene glycol and Propylene glycol) thrice daily. Use mild steroids like Fluticasone (Fluticasone propionate) in pulse dose for severe allergies. This will help you. I am very sorry to say that there is no medicine that can cure allergies. The only way is to stay away from all those things that you are allergic to. This is a provisional diagnosis. Consult your ophthalmologist for a detailed examination. It is very difficult to comment without examining you. Kindly share photos of that white spot so that I may guide you better. I hope I have cleared all your doubts.

Thank you.