Can crying make your eyes blind?
Nov 15, 2024
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Wang Shuai
Introduction
If crying is occasional, short-lived, and not accompanied by other eye conditions or abnormal behaviors, it usually does not cause permanent damage to the eyes or lead to blindness. The eyes have certain self-protective mechanisms that can handle brief periods of irritation and emotional fluctuations. When crying, tears should be wiped with clean tissues or a handkerchief.
Generally speaking, crying does not directly cause blindness, but prolonged crying may lead to eye discomfort. The analysis is as follows:
When people cry due to sadness, emotion, or stress release, this act actually has certain benefits for the body. Crying appropriately helps release emotions and reduce psychological stress. Tears contain substances similar to lidocaine that can temporarily relieve eye pain, while lysozyme in tears helps protect the eyes from bacterial infections. If crying is occasional, short-term, and not accompanied by other eye conditions or improper behaviors, it typically does not cause permanent damage to the eyes or result in blindness. The eyes have natural self-protective mechanisms capable of handling brief periods of irritation and emotional fluctuations.
However, if one rubs their eyes vigorously while crying, it may damage the corneal epithelium and lead to problems such as corneal inflammation. If such injuries are not treated promptly, they may affect vision. When crying, it's recommended to use clean tissues or handkerchiefs to wipe away tears, avoiding direct hand contact with the eyes to reduce the risk of bacterial infection. Additionally, avoid rubbing the eyes forcefully to prevent corneal damage.
