Eye discharge consists of different substances made by the body, like oils and dead skin cells.
Sometimes, you could remove eye discharge by rubbing your finger in the corner of your eye.
Other times, your eyelids may seem glued shut by the gunk stuck to your lashes.
Illustration by Emily Roberts for Verywell Health
You may need to see a healthcare provider for treatment.
There are several types of conjunctivitis, so accurate diagnosis is important.
The infection will take its course, usually resolving on its own.
In the meantime, your healthcare provider might recommend that you take over-the-counter pain medication to ease the discomfort.
You also may need to stop wearing contact lenses until the infection clears.
Thick Green or Gray Mucus
A thick green or gray mucus eye discharge could be something serious.
It may mean that you have an eye infection caused bybacteria.
Other symptoms include eye redness and irritation.See your healthcare provider if you suspect bacterial conjunctivitis.
They may prescribe antibiotic eye drops to get rid of the infection.
Eyelid glands sometimes get clogged and infected and leak mucus.
It’s important to have an accurate diagnosis of the cause.
If you do have a stye, your eye may also feel bruised and sensitive to light.
You might be tempted to squeeze the trapped mucus out like a pimple.
This is not recommended, as it could cause the stye to get infected.
A warm compress on your eye can relieve symptoms.
You may also notice eye discharge coming out of the puncta, a small drainage hole in the eyelid.
The bacteria may grow and infect the eyelids and eyelashes, causing redness and inflammation.
The eyelids may also thicken and form dandruff-like scales on the lids and lashes.
Blepharitisis often treated by applying warm compresses followed byeyelid scrubs.
you’ve got the option to try using baby shampoo, as it wont sting your eyes.
Your healthcare provider might recommend using over-the-counterartificial tearsseveral times a day.
Artificial tears lubricate your eye and help to suppress the immune response that causes stringy eye mucus.
If eye allergies become severe, your healthcare provider may need to prescribe antihistamine eye drops or oral medications.
Human tears are mostly composed of water, mucus, and oil.
There may also be strings of mucus in your eyes.
Avoid using blow dryers on your hair and protect your eyes from wind when outdoors.
You also may want to add humidity to a dry environment.
Also, contact them immediately for additional symptoms such as pain, blurriness, or double vision.
Summary
Eye discharge, or gunk in your eyes, can mean several different things.
Most of the causes of watery eyes or waking up with mucus in your eyes arent serious.
They will likely go away on their own or get better with simple home treatments.
Also seek medical care if the eye discharge is persistent, bothersome, or affects your vision.
University of Utah Health.Is that morning “eye gunk” normal?.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Conjunctivitis: what is pink eye?.
2021 Jan 11;21(1):29. doi: 10.1186/s12886-020-01792-4
National Eye Institute.Blepharitis.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Blepharitis.
Symptoms, causes and treatment.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Home remedies for simple eye problems.
