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Rubbing your eyes may seem like a quick way to clear your vision, but it can actually do more harm than good. Rubbing your eyes can lead to eye irritation, which can make your symptoms worse. It can also cause damage to your cornea.

My eyes are itchy...

When you rub your eyes, you’re usually doing it to remove an eyelash that’s gotten in your eye or to scratch away a certain itch. However, rubbing your eyes actually has the opposite effect and can cause a lot of damage to your eye.

Eye irritation can affect your vision and result in redness, dryness, and even eye pain. Over time, chronic rubbing can lead to more noticeable problems of the eye, such as corneal abrasions or even scarring that can cause vision impairment. Rubbing your eyes can irritate the eyelid skin and cause dry eyes. It also pushes dirt and debris deeper into the tear film, which can further exacerbate irritation and discomfort. Instead, try these home remedies for relief from dry, irritated eyes.

Try lubricating eye drops to keep your eyes moist and comfortable. Dabbing your delicate eye area with a washcloth, towel, or other rough material could scratch the cornea and cause more irritation and discomfort. Instead, you should apply a warm compress to the area for relief. The heat will help ease any discomfort while also softening the foreign object so it can be removed easily.

You can also place a cold washcloth over your eye after a warm compress for up to ten minutes to calm irritation. (This is called an “iced compress.”) Since excessive rubbing can lead to other issues like dry eyes, it’s best to avoid this habit altogether.

When you accidentally rub your eyes, gently rinse them with clean water to remove any irritants. Then use a clean paper towel or washcloth to dab the area dry. It’s also a good idea to apply lubricating eye drops to your lids to prevent dryness. And if you have persistent symptoms that don’t seem to go away after a few days, be sure to make an appointment with your optometrist right away. We can take a look at your eye area and determine whether or not you have a corneal abrasion that needs to be treated with antibiotic drops.

At Summerlin Vision, we firmly believe that everyone should have regular comprehensive eye exams. We are located at 900 S Pavilion Center Dr #140, Las Vegas, NV 89144. You can also reach us at (702) 243-8788 and schedule an appointment.