CLAIM:
Rubbing the eyes vigorously puts immense pressure on the cornea and surrounding tissues, which can damage the eyes over time and increase the risk of infection. It may also lead to temporary vision loss if done frequently.
FACT:
Rubbing the eyes can sometimes cause temporary visual disturbances such as blurred vision or flashes of light due to pressure on the eye. While occasional gentle rubbing is usually harmless, frequent or vigorous rubbing can place stress on the cornea and is considered a risk factor for conditions such as keratoconus. Studies and experts therefore advise avoiding repeated eye rubbing and addressing underlying causes like allergies or irritation
In a viral reel posted by Adithya Nataraj, who has over 8.3 lakh followers on Instagram, a claim is made that rubbing the eyes vigorously can lead to serious eye damage and even temporary vision loss.
According to his profile, he is “building @wellyuga to help you reverse chronic diseases naturally.”
In the reel, which has gained around 47.6K views, Nataraj explains that the video shows an MRI scan of a person rubbing their eyes. According to him, when someone rubs their eyes forcefully, it places “immense pressure on the cornea and the delicate tissues surrounding it.” He suggests that repeated or vigorous rubbing can damage these sensitive structures over time and may also increase the risk of infection.
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He further warns that such pressure on the eye can sometimes lead to “temporary vision loss.” Advising viewers to avoid the habit, he recommends washing the eyes instead and gently dabbing them with a cloth. He also suggests using a “Netra Shuddhi cup” as an alternative way to clean the eyes.
Can rubbing your eyes harm them or cause temporary vision loss?
Rubbing your eyes can sometimes cause temporary visual disturbances such as blurred vision or brief flashes of light, known as photopsia. While occasional, gentle rubbing is generally harmless, vigorous or repeated rubbing can place pressure on the eye and temporarily disrupt the ocular surface and internal pressure levels.
A 2020 study examined the mechanical forces applied to the eyelids during eye rubbing among 57 patients with clinically diagnosed keratoconus who had a history of rubbing their eyes. Participants were asked to reproduce their typical eye-rubbing motion on a high-precision balance so that researchers could measure the force applied.
The results showed that knuckle rubbing applied the greatest force on the eyelids, compared with rubbing using fingertips or fingernails. They concluded that “there were major variations in the force exerted on the lids, depending on the type of eye rubbing employed,” highlighting how certain rubbing habits may place greater mechanical stress on the eye.
Research has also explored how repeated rubbing may affect corneal health. A review examining the role of eye rubbing in keratoconus, a progressive eye disease in which the cornea thins and bulges outward, notes that eye rubbing is considered an important risk factor. The authors explain that keratoconus “often causes myopia and irregular astigmatism,” and in advanced stages can lead to corneal scarring and significant vision loss.
According to the review, “many studies suggest that eye rubbing is related to the occurrence and development of keratoconus.” The paper further explains that mechanical stress from rubbing can damage corneal cells through several pathways, including direct mechanical action, increased corneal temperature, raised intraocular pressure, and the release of inflammatory factors that lead to cell apoptosis. Because of this, the authors stress that avoiding frequent eye rubbing may help delay the progression of keratoconus, particularly in individuals already at risk.
Further evidence comes from a 2023 multicentre analysis that investigated eye-rubbing habits among patients with keratoconus. The study analysed 799 patients with keratoconus and 798 control participants, along with survey responses from ophthalmologists.
Researchers found that the proportion of keratoconus patients reporting eye rubbing increased from 31% in medical records to 66.6% during follow-up questionnaires, suggesting that the behaviour may be underreported in clinical settings.
After statistical analysis, the researchers identified several significant associations, including eye rubbing more than 10 times per day (OR 9.168) and knuckle rubbing (OR 9.804). The study concluded that eye rubbing was relatively common among keratoconus patients and that greater clinical attention and patient education are needed to discourage the habit.
Medical experts also emphasise that the risks are mainly associated with frequent or chronic rubbing, rather than occasional contact with the eyes. According to the University of Utah Health, “short-term eye rubbing is probably not going to cause a problem except for maybe a very few patients who may have some kind of severe problem underlying their eye condition.” However, specialists warn that chronic rubbing can weaken the cornea over time, potentially contributing to conditions such as keratoconus. As the institution explains, “chronic eye rubbing can result in the weakening of the cornea and distortion of the cornea called keratoconus,” a condition often linked to people with persistent eye irritation or allergic conjunctivitis who repeatedly rub their eyes.
When should you see a doctor, and how much eye rubbing is safe?
According to specialists at the University of Utah Health, “typically, most of the patients who we feel that actually there is an association between chronic eye rubbing and disease fall into the diagnosis of the condition called keratoconus, which is a structural abnormality of the cornea causing poor vision due to an abnormal shape to the surface of the eye.” The abnormal corneal shape can lead to irregular astigmatism, which in severe cases may not be fully corrected with glasses or even contact lenses.
They also note that the condition can run in families and may begin early in life. The University of Utah points out that “this disease may run in families and, typically, may start even in childhood.” Because itching is a common trigger for rubbing, they advise that parents seek treatment if children frequently rub their eyes due to allergies. “Parents should be advised to try to seek treatment for their young children who may have severe allergic disease and in the case of eyes, typically allergy eye drops are very effective in eliminating itch.” They also highlight that simple behavioural guidance and habit training can help children avoid excessive rubbing.
They also offer a simple rule of thumb to understand how much pressure is safe. According to the University of Utah, “the amount of pressure needed to wash one's face with a washcloth gently or dry with a towel is the appropriate amount of pressure to put on one's eye. Anything more than that is probably unhealthy for the eye.” In other words, only very light pressure should ever be applied to the eye area.
Another warning sign is the appearance of flashes or sparkles when rubbing the eyes. As they note, “it is possible to induce the sensation of light or the perception of light without actually seeing light,” a phenomenon known as photopsia. If rubbing the eyes produces such flashes, it may be a sign that excessive pressure is being applied. “When one rubs their eye hard enough to induce photopsia, that is not a good thing,” experts caution, adding that repeated episodes over many years could potentially lead to more serious problems.
This story is done in collaboration with First Check, which is the health journalism vertical of DataLEADS