Rubbing your eyes is a typical response to irritation, tiredness, or an itch. Although it may provide temporary relief, this seemingly harmless habit can result in serious and permanent damage. A man in Malaysia found this out the hard way, as rubbing his eyes damaged the cornea in his right eye, necessitating surgery. Muhammad Zabidi shared his experience in a TikTok video, describing the ordeal. At just 21, Zabidi had been excessively rubbing his eyes for most of his life.
He began experiencing blurred vision in his right eye at the age of 15, which worsened over time
According to the local outlet The Rakyat Post (TRP), Zabidi has suffered from allergies since he was a child. The outlet, citing the video, reported that he began experiencing blurred vision in his right eye at the age of 15, which worsened over time. Upon consulting a doctor, Zabidi was informed that he had severely scratched his cornea due to continuous eye rubbing and needed a transplant to restore his vision. “Since I was a child, I liked rubbing my eyes because I have allergies. Sometimes I rub my eyes until they turn red,” Zabidi said in the video, as per TRP. “I noticed my vision starting to blur at the age of 15. It got blurrier over time. By the time I was 21, there was already a scar on my cornea,” he further explained in the video.
Zabidi underwent a cornea transplant, performed under general anesthesia, but the recovery process is lengthy. Doctors informed Zabidi that full recovery would take years.
“Right now, my condition is stable, but my right eye still can’t open. The doctor said it might take 2 months for it to open, and it’ll be 2 years until I fully recover,” Zabidi said in the clip.
The cornea, the clear, dome-shaped surface covering the front of the eye, is essential for focusing vision. Certain eye conditions, such as dry eye syndrome, allergic conjunctivitis, and blepharitis, can be aggravated by rubbing. For example, rubbing dry eyes can disrupt the delicate tear film that keeps the eyes lubricated, worsening dryness and discomfort. Lastly, individuals should also limit the time spent looking at mobile phones at high brightness.
