We’ve all been there. Maybe it’s during allergy season when your eyes feel unbearably itchy, or after a long day staring at screens. A quick rub may seem harmless or even soothing, until someone perks up to remind you that rubbing your eyes can worsen your vision or even cause astigmatism.
We’re here to set the record straight: rubbing your eyes does not cause astigmatism. As soothing as it can feel, you should still avoid rubbing your eyes. It can do more harm than good.
If you feel persistent irritation or discomfort, a routine eye exam can help detect the culprit and find the solution right for you.
Astigmatism: A Closer Look
The shape of your eye influences how well you can see. Refractive errors, including astigmatism, myopia, and hyperopia, alter the eyes’ proper shape, leading to blurry vision.
An eye with no refractive error is round. When incoming light enters the eye through a cornea that is smooth and curves evenly (like a basketball), it focuses precisely on the retina, resulting in clear vision.
With astigmatism, the cornea has an irregular shape (like a football). This uneven surface causes light to scatter rather than focus directly on the retina, leading to blurry or distorted vision at all distances.
Common signs that accompany astigmatism include:
- Difficulty seeing at night (glare and halos)
- Eye strain
- Headaches
- Blurry vision at all distances
Astigmatism can range from mild to severe and is usually present at birth, though it can develop or change over time.
Debunking the Myth: Astigmatism & Eye Rubbing
Contrary to popular belief, rubbing your eyes does not directly cause astigmatism. Since astigmatism is generally tied to the natural shape of your cornea or lens, it’s unlikely that an external habit like rubbing your eyes would change it outright.
Rubbing your eyes may not develop astigmatism, but it is far from harmless.
Avoid Rubbing Your Eyes: Why It Can be Harmful
Many of us rub our eyes to ease irritation and discomfort. Even if you use a light hand, the eye is a very delicate and complex structure. This perpetuates a harmful habit you should avoid. Below are the key risks to keep in mind.
Corneal Damage
Lightly rubbing your eyes every once in a while may not cause immediate harm, but excessive or repeated force can weaken the cornea.
For some people, especially those predisposed to eye conditions like keratoconus (a condition where the cornea becomes thin and cone-shaped), rubbing can worsen corneal irregularities.
Keratoconus’s symptoms are often mistaken as astigmatism because of its effects on corneal shape and vision clarity. While astigmatism from a naturally irregular cornea or lens is manageable with corrective lenses, keratoconus is complex and requires more intensive treatment.
Eye infections
The hands touch a lot of surfaces daily. That’s why every healthcare professional emphasizes washing your hands with soap and water. It’s the first line of defense against harmful germs.
When you rub your eyes, your hands transfer bacteria and germs directly to your eyes. This increases the risk of conditions like conjunctivitis (pink eye) or other infections.
Children, especially, don’t always remember to wash their hands, touch a lot of surfaces, and may rub their eyes without thinking. This is one reason we see contagious pink eye infections more often in children than adults.
The trick here becomes managing the temptation to rub, especially during allergy season or when working long hours on screens. Keep these helpful hygiene tips in mind:
- Artificial tears hydrate the eyes and relieve dryness or irritation.
- A cold compress mask helps soothe irritation.
- Wash your hands frequently to lower the risk of transferring germs.
Contact Lens Discomfort
The beauty of contact lenses is how they offer comfortable vision correction.
Contact lenses rest directly on the eye’s surface. Rubbing your eyes can dislodge or damage the lens, leading to greater discomfort, or even scratch the cornea itself, leading to other risks. If you experience contact lens irritation, take a break from the lenses and visit your eye doctor.
Together, we can determine the underlying cause of irritation, keeping your eyes safe, comfortable, and free of any risks associated with contact lens complications.
Broken Blood Vessels
Forceful rubbing can break tiny blood vessels in your eyes, resulting in temporary redness or irritation. These broken blood vessels typically heal on their own, but the whites of the eyes take on a vivid red color, which can look alarming.
What Causes Astigmatism?
If rubbing your eyes isn’t to blame, what causes astigmatism in the first place? While we don’t know for sure, there are some common risk factors:
- Genetics: The most significant risk factor is family history. If your parents or siblings have astigmatism, you’re more likely to have it as well.
- Eye surgeries or injuries: Any trauma or surgical procedure that alters the natural shape of your cornea can contribute to astigmatism.
- Natural growth changes: Some children develop astigmatism as their eyes grow, which is why regular eye exams are vital during childhood.
Tip to Protect Your Eyes
Though eye rubbing is unlikely to cause astigmatism, it’s still a poor habit that can harm your vision and overall eye health. Preserving your vision and eye health involves proactive care:
- Limit eye rubbing: Break the habit by addressing underlying causes of eye irritation, such as allergies or dryness.
- Follow the 20-20-20 rule: This helps reduce eye strain, particularly when working long hours on digital screens. Look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds every 20 minutes to encourage your eyes to relax.
- Wear protective eyewear: Wear safety glasses at work or home improvement projects or protective sports eyewear when playing high-impact sports to shield your eyes from injury.
- Stay regular with routine eye exams: More than monitoring your vision, eye exams can detect concerns, like astigmatism, dry eye, or keratoconus early, for timely management.
Safeguard Your Sight
Just because rubbing your eyes doesn’t cause astigmatism doesn’t mean this is a habit you should continue. Caring for your eyes concerns more than your vision. It’s about safeguarding your eyes and overall health.
If you experience persistent eye irritation that doesn’t subside despite your efforts, it’s time to seek professional advice. Connect with Dr. Henslick Vision Center to book a routine eye exam.
