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Everyone rubs their eyes when they get itchy, right? While it might seem like the natural thing to do, it’s not going to help your health.
In fact, it could be a major issue if you continue to do it.
According to Coastal Eye Surgeons, people rub their ears for a number of reasons, whether it’s because they feel tired, their eyes are irritated, or they have hay fever or cold symptoms.
Whatever the reason, humans have been doing it since forever, but it seems it's now time to stop.
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Although rubbing your eyes might be therapeutic at times, there’s always a better way to handle an irritated or itchy eye - and it’s safer too.
A clip from an eye clinic has been doing the rounds online and shows just what can happen if you continue to rub your eyes, and it’s not good.
The video, posted to YouTube by Fraser Eye Care Center, shows many of their eye specialists detailing what’s the worst thing you can do to your eyes, and rubbing them held the top spot.
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One expert explained exactly why, and it’s something nobody wants to happen to their peepers.
She said: “Eyes rubbing, you need to stop, oh my goodness.
“Please, for the love of God, if you need to rub your eye, instead of rubbing the eyeball, rub the bone.”
This is because rubbing your eyes can introduce bacteria, causing disease or infection, and it’s particularly bad if you wear contacts.
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The specialist added: “It’ll scratch the itch, but it will put you at less risk of diseases like keratoconus.”
As per Coastal Eye Surgeons, there are a lot of reasons why you shouldn’t rub your eyes.
It could cause your eyes to become bloodshot as it breaks tiny blood vessels, it can introduce germs and cause infections, it can also damage the cornea if there is a foreign object inside of your eyelid.
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It can also increase 'eye pressure, disrupt blood flow, and result in nerve damage in those with glaucoma' and also thin your cornea - mentioned above as being keratoconus which then causes distorted vision.
But if you feel like you can’t stop, the site gives examples of a few things you can do to help.
Instead of rubbing your eyes, use artificial tears (eye drops) regularly so they are lubricated and hydrated.
You could try a fidget spinner or an alternative fidget toy or activity to attempt to distract yourself and replace the habit.
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According to Coastal Eye Surgeons, you could also consider doing warm compresses to the eye instead of rubbing them or have your doctor 'prescribe eye drops (antihistamine eye drops or mast cell stabilizers) to prevent itchy eyes'.
Whatever you choose, make sure it’s not rubbing and you should be fine.
After all, we use our eyes every day and rely on them for everything that we do.
So, you’re going to want to keep them as healthy as possible for as long as possible.
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People online were a little salty about the advice, particularly because they enjoy rubbing their eyes.
One person said: “It wasn't until she said it that I felt the unavoidable need to rub my eye.”
Another wrote: “Rubbing my eyes is the only way I can experience space travel. Don’t take away that 6 seconds of glory!”
Don’t do it!
Britt Jones