In our daily lives, many of us unconsciously practice a small habit that is often considered normal, yet it carries high risks to our eye health — rubbing the eyes. Although this action provides temporary relief, it can actually leave long-term negative effects on eye health. Typically, this act is done unconsciously, especially when feeling tired, sleepy, or experiencing severe allergies. It is often seen as a quick solution because the pressure on the eyeball can stimulate the trigeminal nerve, which in turn stimulates the vagus nerve, giving a sense of relaxation and calmness. In addition, rubbing also stimulates reflex tearing, which helps flush out dust, small particles, and reduces irritation or dryness in the eyes. However, repeated mechanical pressure from eye rubbing can cause changes in the corneal shape, thinning of tissue, destabilization of the tear film, and injury to the corneal surface. More concerning, it may lead to eye hemorrhage due to the rupture of small blood vessels caused by repeated forceful pressure. For individuals with eye allergies, rubbing can worsen the condition by triggering excessive histamine release, which increases eye itchiness. Furthermore, dirty hands raise the risk of eye infections as bacteria or viruses can easily be transferred to the eyes. In the long term, the effects of this habit become more serious. Several studies, including Bawazeer et al. (2000) and Najmi et al. (2019), have shown that excessive eye rubbing may increase the risk of keratoconus, a condition where the cornea thins and bulges into a cone shape, causing blurred or distorted vision and heightened sensitivity to bright light. Repeated rubbing also alters the shape of the cornea, worsening astigmatism. Therefore, preventive measures are essential to control this habit. The use of preservative-free artificial tears can help relieve itchy, dry, or irritated eyes without the need to rub. Maintaining hand and facial hygiene is also crucial to prevent eye infections. If the eyes feel itchy or swollen, a cool compression technique can be used as a safer alternative. If the problem persists, patients should be referred to an eye specialist for further examination and more accurate treatment. In conclusion, in conjunction with World Sight Day (WSD), observed on the second Thursday of October and celebrated on 9 October 2025 with the theme #LoveYourEyes, which calls on every individual to appreciate their vision and adopt a lifestyle that prioritizes eye health, let us collectively value our eyesight by avoiding this high-risk habit. The small changes we make today can protect this priceless gift from more serious damage.   References Bawazeer, A. M., Hodge, W. G., & Lorimer, B. (2000). Atopy and keratoconus: A multivariate analysis. British Journal of Ophthalmology, 84(8), 834–836. Najmi, H., Mobarki, Y., Mania, K., Altowairqi, B., Basehi, M., Mahfouz, M. S., & Elmahdy, M. (2019). The correlation between keratoconus and eye rubbing: a review. International journal of ophthalmology, 12(11), 1775–1781. https://doi.org/10.18240/ijo.2019.11.17   Provided By :  Name: Kapt. Bersekutu (PA) Mohammad Nor Fitri bin Hasan HP: 017-5515397 Email: norfitri@upm.edu.my Department of Ophthalmology Hospital Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah, UPM

Date of Input: 11/09/2025 | Updated: 11/09/2025 | ahmadfaiq