The harm to the eyes hidden in daily life

When foreign objects get into our eyes, when we don't sleep well at night and are blown by the wind, we can't help rubbing our eyes. This small act has seriously affected the health of the eyes.

What changes will occur in the eyeballs when rubbing the eyes?

The surface of our eyeball is like a spherical surface, with a certain curvature and a round cornea, mainly composed of dense collagen fibers

When we rub our glasses hard, the fibers in the cornea will also loosen and deform

Over time, the cornea will gradually be pushed from its normal spherical arc into a conical shape, forming keratoconus. Not only will vision decline, but it can also cause astigmatism. If too much force is applied, the cornea may even rupture.

The most common scene where we rub our eyes is when dust, hair or other foreign objects enter the eyes. These foreign objects will constantly rub against the cornea with the rubbing action, scratching the cornea. Over time, the damage to the cornea gradually worsens, causing the eyes to become red, weep and photophobia. In severe cases, scar tissue may form on the corneal mold, leading to vision impairment.

However, the movement of the particles on the surface of the eyeball generally does not cause us pain. In fact, it is the cornea that bears everything during the process

At the same time, injured bacteria will also increase the risk of infection. When the eyes are inflamed, it is especially important not to rub them. This action can cause immune cells to release more histamine, exacerbating the inflammation. At the same time, frequently rubbing the eyes can exert pressure on the eyeball, blocking the flow of fluid inside the eye, increasing intraocular pressure, causing symptoms such as stiffness, distension and pain, headache, and nausea

Rubbing the eyes makes people feel comfortable because of the following two points:

 1. The physical stimulation brought by rubbing the eyes directly acts on the nerves, interrupting the signal transmission at the nerve endings. Rubbing the eyes can stimulate the lacrimal glands to produce more tears, making the eyeballs more lubricated.

Therefore, when your eyes feel uncomfortable, you can use artificial tears or shed tears to relieve the discomfort. Try to avoid rubbing your eyeballs directly with your hands.