What happens if you rub your eyes too much?

Yeah, it's so tempting to rub them, but you can do some real damage. On a basic level, you're transferring germs from your hands, which can cause infections like pink eye. You can also break the tiny blood vessels on the surface, making your eyes look bloodshot.

If you have allergies, rubbing is the worst. It releases more histamines, which is the very chemical that makes your eyes itch in the first place. You get trapped in an itch-rub cycle. The most serious risk is damaging your cornea. Over time, constant, hard rubbing can weaken it and cause it to bulge into a cone shape, a condition called keratoconus. This can permanently blur your vision. It’s best to use cool compresses or eye drops instead.