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We often notice that children rub their eyes when they feel sleepy, and adults also do this frequently when working with concentration for long hours. What is the motivation for this behavior? What is the source of the comfort we get when rubbing the eyes?
Dr. Rebecca Dudowitz says - in a report for Live Science - “We know from human experience that people tend to rub their eyes when they feel tired, and we think that the matter may be related to the mere feeling of discomfort that you feel when your eye muscles are working too hard, indicating that it may "It's time for a break."
Staring for a long time may lead to dry eyes, which is one of the reasons for feeling the need to rub the eyes as well.
According to the Cleveland Clinic website, adults may need to blink their eyes approximately 14 to 17 times per minute in order to spread tear secretions to the surface of the eye, keeping it moist and comfortable. This process also contributes to the equal distribution of oxygen and nutrients within the eye, and works to get rid of dead cells and dry tears, which helps protect it from dryness and inflammation, and ensures the preservation of clarity of vision.
Adults may need to blink their eyes approximately 14 to 17 times per minute (Shutterstock)
The American Academy of Ophthalmology explains that tears consist of 3 main layers:
An inner mucous layer that keeps tears attached to the surface of the eye.
A salty water layer in the middle protects the cornea from bacteria and keeps the eye moist.
An outer fatty layer that prevents the evaporation of the other two tear layers.
Therefore, constant squinting, especially when using tablets, reduces the number of eye blinks to approximately 5 times per minute, which in turn leads to the disintegration of the aforementioned tear components to form dry spots on the surface of the cornea. This stresses the eye, exposes it to dryness, and increases the risk of Inflammation therein.
Therefore, when a person feels tired or dry in his eyes, he may rub them, and this stimulates the tear ducts to secrete tears with the aim of moisturizing the eyes and relieving their dryness, which protects them from irritation. Also, there is a process in the human body known as the cardio-optic reflex that occurs when pressure is applied directly to the surface of the eye, which stimulates a decrease in blood pressure, which helps to relax, and this makes the person feel some comfort when rubbing his eyes.
Is rubbing eyes a safe behavior?
The myocardial reflex is defined, according to the National Library of Medicine in the United States, as a decrease in the heart rate by more than 20% as a result of direct pressure on the eyeball or pulling the eye muscles outward, as the brain sends a signal to the heart to reduce its pulse, which leads to... It slows the heartbeat, which in turn reduces blood pressure.
Rubbing the eyes may increase the chance of infection, especially if one has allergies due to exposure to dust, pollen, or pet dander, which increases the transfer of allergens to the eyes if the hands are not sterilized, which leads to worsening symptoms.
Rubbing the eyes hard and repeatedly may lead to a tear in the retina, which cannot be healed automatically and requires specialized care in order to heal.
Rubbing the eyes may also expose them to infections caused by some viruses and bacteria, such as conjunctivitis.
How can I avoid rubbing the eyes?
Make sure to take periods of rest when reading, writing, playing games, or doing anything that requires intense concentration.
Use blue light filtering glasses when one needs to work on tablets for long periods to relieve eye strain.
Use preservative-free artificial tears to keep the eyes moist at all times.
If there is severe eye sensitivity or chronic dryness, it is necessary to consult a doctor, as there may be a need to use a special treatment to deal with the condition effectively.
Source: Al Jazeera + agencies