Eye discharge

Eye discharge – What is eye discharge made of?

Eye discharge is a combination of mucus, oil, skin cells and conjunctiva and other debris that accumulates in the corner of the eye during sleep. It can be wet and sticky or dry and crusty, depending on how much of the fluids in the discharge have evaporated. Other slang terms used to describe eye discharge include "sticky eyes," "crust on the eyes" and more.

Eye discharge has a protective role, including removing waste products and harmful particles from the tear film and from the front surface of the eyes. Your eyes produce mucus throughout the day, but a thin, continuous film of tears washes the eyes when you blink and washes away this mucus before it hardens on the eyes.

When you sleep and do not blink, eye discharge accumulates and hardens in the corners of the eyes and sometimes along the lash line, hence the feeling of sticky eyes that is more common in the mornings. A little eye discharge when you wake up is within the norm, but excessive eye discharge, especially if it is an abnormal color (green or yellow) and accompanied by blurred vision, sensitivity to light or eye pain, can indicate a severe eye inflammation or eye diseases, and in such cases it is advisable to be examined by an ophthalmologist as soon as possible.

Where does the mucus that makes up eye discharge come from?

Eye discharge is a function of the tear film and a necessary component of eye health. It is composed mainly of thin, watery mucus (called mucin) produced by the conjunctiva and of meibum – an oily substance secreted by the meibomian glands that helps keep your eyes protected between blinks.

Causes of eye discharge

A small residue of eye discharge is usually not a cause for concern, but if you notice a difference in the consistency, color and amount of the discharge, it can indicate an infection or a more serious eye disease.

Common eye conditions associated with abnormal eye discharge include:

Conjunctivitis

Eye discharge is a common symptom of conjunctivitis (pink eye). This is a condition in which there is inflammation in the thin membrane that lines the "white" of the eye (the sclera) and the inner surface of the eyelids.

In addition to itchy eyes, a gritty sensation in the eyes, irritated and red eyes, conjunctivitis is usually accompanied by a white, yellow or green eye discharge that can form a crust along the lash line during sleep.

In some cases, the crust that accumulates on the eyelids can be so severe that it temporarily makes it difficult to open the eyes.

Broadly, there are usually three types of conjunctivitis: viral, bacterial and allergic.

Viral conjunctivitis Highly contagious and caused by the same viruses that cause the common cold; one of the most common and contagious is adenovirus. In addition, the herpes virus can cause conjunctivitis and subsequently a more serious infection. Eye discharge associated with viral pink eye is usually clear and watery, but may include a white or light-yellow mucous component.

Bacterial conjunctivitis, as the name indicates, is caused by a bacterial infection and can endanger vision if not treated. The discharge from the eye is usually thicker and pus-like (purulent) in consistency than viral inflammation, and it is usually yellow, green or even gray. Often, the sticky material will make the eyelids feel completely stuck together when waking up in the morning.

Allergic conjunctivitis is triggered by allergens – pollen, dander, dust and other common irritants that cause eye allergies. It can also be caused by an allergic reaction to chemical pollutants, makeup, contact lens fluid and eye drops. Eye discharge associated with allergic conjunctivitis is usually watery. Unlike viral and bacterial conjunctivitis, allergic conjunctivitis is not contagious and always affects both eyes, with an emphasis on an itching sensation.

Other eye infections

In addition to conjunctivitis, there are many eye infections that cause abnormal eye discharge. These include: ocular herpes (recurrent viral eye inflammation), fungal keratitis (a rare but severe inflammation of the cornea) and Acanthamoeba infection (an infection that can cause blindness, usually caused by poor contact lens hygiene or swimming in fresh water while wearing a contact lens).

Eye discharge from an eye infection varies considerably depending on the underlying cause. It may be clear and watery or thick, green and sticky – so it is important to make sure to turn to an ophthalmologist for accurate diagnosis and treatment.

Blepharitis

Eyelid inflammation, blepharitis, describes inflammation in the eyelash hair follicles (anterior blepharitis) or a problem in oil production from the meibomian glands at the inner edge of the eyelids (posterior blepharitis). When there is dysfunction of the meibomian glands it is called Meibomian Gland Dysfunction, and this condition can cause frothy eye discharge, the appearance of a crust on the eyelids, as well as yellow or green eye pus. In addition, there may be a foreign-body sensation, pain and other symptoms of dry eyes.

Trapped stye

A trapped stye (stye), also called a chalazion, is an oil/sebaceous gland at the edge of the eyelid. It resembles a kind of "pimple on the eye" at the margin of the eyelid and is usually accompanied by redness, swollen eyelids and tenderness in the affected area. Yellow pus, an eyelid crust and discomfort when blinking can also be symptoms.

A stye in the eye usually resolves on its own, but there are several possible treatments for cases that do not resolve on their own or recurrent cases, such as: warm compresses, gland expression, IPL treatment and chalazion surgery. It is important to avoid trying to "pop" it yourself at home. Such an action can cause the infection to spread to other areas of the eye and further irritation of the eye.

Dry eyes

Insufficient tear production or dysfunction of the meibomian glands can lead to dry eye syndrome – a chronic condition in which the surface of the eyes is not properly lubricated and becomes irritated and inflamed. Symptoms of dry eyes include red eyes, a bloodshot appearance, a burning sensation, blurred vision and a feeling that something is "in the eye" (a foreign-body sensation). Sometimes dry eyes can also cause excessive watery discharge from the eye.

Contact lenses

People who wear contact lenses may find themselves with more discharge in the mornings compared to people who do not wear contact lenses. This can be due to several reasons, including an eye infection related to contact lenses, discomfort from a contact lens that does not fit the eye and resulting dry and irritated eyes, as well as rubbing the eyes more when putting on the contact lenses. If you experience an increase in eye discharge when using contact lenses, it is advisable to remove them and turn to an ophthalmologist for examination immediately.

Eye injury

A foreign body in the eye (such as dirt, debris or a chemical substance) or an injury to the eyes can cause increased secretion of watery discharge as a natural protective response. If the discharge is purulent or there is blood-colored discharge after an eye injury, or there is pain or a decrease in vision, it is necessary to turn to the ophthalmologist for examination immediately for diagnosis and treatment.

Corneal ulcer

A corneal ulcer is an infection of the cornea that endangers vision. It can result from several different causes including trauma, bacteria, fungus, parasite and virus. If not treated promptly, corneal ulcers can lead to total vision loss. Eye pain, redness, swollen eyelids and thick eye discharge are characteristic of a corneal ulcer.

Dacryocystitis

When the tear duct is blocked, the tear sac in the tear drainage system leading to the nose can become infected and cause a tender, swollen gland to appear beneath the inner corner of the eye. In addition to pain and redness, common symptoms of dacryocystitis include watery eyes, sticky eye discharge and blurred vision.

Treatment of eye discharge

A small amount of discharge from the eye is not harmful, but if you notice changes in color, frequency, consistency and amount, turn to the ophthalmologist.

If an eye infection is the cause of eye discharge, the ophthalmologist may prescribe antibiotic or antiviral drops and ointments. If eye allergies cause the eyes to be watery and bothersome, antihistamine eye drops or steroid drops may ease the symptoms. Warm compresses placed over the eyes may help relieve itching symptoms and general eye discomfort, as well as help remove discharge from the eyes.

If the eyelids are stuck together, the best way to clean the eyelids and open them is to moisten a cloth with warm water and place it on the eyes for a few minutes before gently wiping away the discharge.