US Doctor Issues Urgent Warning: This Common Habit Poses a Serious Threat to Health

Kokcha News Agency: According to a report in DailyMail, an eye doctor in the U.S. has issued a warning about a common habit that could severely damage eye health. Dr. Fraser, an ophthalmologist, shared a video on TikTok that garnered over 2.2 million views after discussing the issue with colleagues.

The habit unanimously identified by experts as the most risky? Rubbing your eyes.

Dr. Fraser warned, “You need to stop. Don’t rub your eyes.” However, instead of completely banning the habit, he offered a safer alternative: “If you absolutely must rub your eyes, focus on the bony area around the eye instead of the eyeball itself. This can relieve itching and reduce the risk of conditions like keratoconus.”

Keratoconus is a progressive eye condition where the cornea thins and takes on a cone-like shape, potentially impairing vision. In severe cases, it may require surgical intervention or a corneal transplant. Experts say that eye rubbing is a significant risk factor for the disease.

Another ophthalmologist working at Dr. Fraser’s clinic highlighted that this habit also harms skin health: “The delicate skin around the eyes is prone to stretching and wrinkling. Frequent rubbing accelerates the aging process in this area.”

Another expert pointed out that, in addition to eye rubbing, not blinking enough while using computers or phones can also lead to serious problems: “Patients often don’t blink while working on computers or studying. This causes dryness and eyelid issues. Consciously blinking more frequently can prevent many problems.”

Experts recommend taking regular breaks from screens, blinking consciously to keep the eyes moist, and applying pressure to the bony area around the eye instead of the eyeball when feeling itchy.

Dr. Fraser’s video sparked widespread discussion on social media. Many users admitted they had already experienced the negative effects of this bad habit:

• “I have keratoconus; please don’t rub your eyes.”

• “I rubbed my eyes for years due to allergies, and now I have the same issue in my left eye.”

• “After watching the video, I blinked a million times.”