Eye Rubbing and Binocular Vision: Symptoms, Causes, and Solutions

Have you ever wondered if it's normal for your eye to occasionally turn outward when you rub your eye? Or have you experienced difficulties in achieving clear focus after briefly occluding one eye? This article will explore these issues and provide guidance on when to seek professional help.

Normal vs. Abnormal Eye Turn

Dr. Mittal and Dr. Vater are correct in stating that it is common to exert a bit of effort to regain binocular focus when one eye is temporarily occluded. However, if your vision remains out-of-focus or your eye remains turned outward (exotropia), it is not considered normal. Suppression, where the brain shuts off the input from the deviating eye, can prevent double vision in some cases; nevertheless, any noticeable eye-turn should be evaluated by a professional to determine the nature and severity of the problem.

A Simple At-Home Test

Dr. Mittal and Dr. Vater recommend a simple test you can perform at home. You will need a penlight (not a laser pointer) and a small red lens made of red translucent material. Place the red lens in front of one eye and the penlight at arm's length in the facial midline. Your goal is to see a single light that is a combination of white and red, but not all-white or all-red. Slowly bring the penlight toward the bridge of your nose while trying to maintain a single pink light. You should be able to reach a distance of at least 6 inches (15 cm) from the bridge of your nose before experiencing diplopia (double vision) or suppression (shutting off one eye).

Visual skills such as near-point of convergence can often be trained, and this test can help indicate whether you have issues with your binocular vision. Intentional eye crossing for the visual skill demonstrated here will not permanently alter your eye alignment!

Causes and Solutions

Eye rubbing can sometimes cause or exacerbate binocular vision problems. Regularly rubbing your eyes can lead to eye strain and ocular discomfort, which can contribute to issues such as exotropia. To protect your eye health, consider the following steps:

Refrain from excessive eye rubbing: This is not a good habit for eye health. Proper eye hygiene: Use a gentle, damp cloth or pad to clean your eyelashes.

Excessive eye rubbing can irritate the eyes, leading to inflammation and potentially causing or worsening an eye turn. Keeping your eyes clean and reducing the amount of friction and pressure on your ocular surfaces can help prevent these issues.

Conclusion

If you experience difficulties in achieving clear focus or notice your eye turning outward after briefly occluding one eye, it is highly recommended to have an eye test. Professional evaluation can help determine the nature and degree of your problem and provide appropriate treatment options. Remember, maintaining good eye hygiene and avoiding excessive eye rubbing can significantly contribute to healthier binocular vision.