Eye boogers can build up while sleeping. This condition can sometimes develop during sleep, especially in those with an eye condition.
It’s commonly known as eye goop or eye gunk and is often a result of allergies or infections.
Normally eye discharges consist of different chemicals found in the body: oils, dead skin cells. Sometimes it is possible to relieve eye discharge by touching your hand.
Eye discharge: What causes eye boogers in your eyes?
Eye discharge, also known by the word sleep in eyes, is the combination of mucus and oil that accumulate inside the eye. It can be moist, sticky, or wet if the liquid is vaporized. Other slang words used in describing eye ejections include “eye matter”. Sometimes called Rheum, a discharged eye provides protection by preventing debris and residue from entering the eye.
Where does eye boggers mucus come from?
Eye discharge (Rheum) – A part of our tear film and is essential for healthy vision. It is a thin watery mucus from your conjunctiva (called mucin) that contains an oily residue secreted through meibomian glands to keep your eyes lubricated during the day.
Types of Eye Discharge ( eye boogers) & What They Mean
Different kinds of discharge from the eyes can indicate different problems.
Blocked Tear Duct – eye boogers
Present in 10% of newborns. Main symptom is a constant watery eye. Tears fill the eye and run down the face. This happens even when not crying. The eye is not red and the eyelid is not swollen. The wet eye may get secondary infections. This will cause the eyelids to become matted with pus.
Eye discharge in babies Babies produce eye mucus. A baby who has eye discharge similar to that of an adult is usually healthy, however. Some newborns have tear ducts that are not fully developed. This can cause the ducts to become blocked.
Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis , also known as pink eye, is a contagious condition that causes the eyes to become pink and painful. It usually affects both eyes. Conjunctivitis can occur because of a particular allergy, bacteria, or virus. Symptoms of conjunctivitis include: red or pink eyes an itchy or burning feeling in the eyes watery eyes sticky pus.
Bacterial Conjunctivitis.
This is a bacterial infection of the eye. The main symptom is eyelids stuck together with pus after sleep. Can be present in 1 or both eyes.
Conjunctivitis comes in different forms and if you have its symptoms, you must see an eye doctor immediately.
Bacterial conjunctivitis may cause your eyelids to be glued shut when you wake up in the morning.
Dacryocystitis is an eye infection that affects the tear ducts. It can occur when the tear ducts become blocked, causing the eye to produce a sticky discharge.
Stringy, White Mucus – eye boogers
String, White Mucus Stringy, white mucus is often a result of allergic conjunctivitis. This allergic reaction may create deposits and material that clump together, settling inside of your eye or under your lower eyelid. People with allergic conjunctivitis may have to pull white, stringy mucus out of their eyes.
A form of eye discharge whose musculosity is stringy is often a sign of allergic conjunctivitis or eye allergy. As part of allergic reactions, glands in your eyes can produce sticky materials in your eye or underneath your lower eyelids.
The eye doctor may also suggest the use of artificial tears at least once per day. It lubricates eyes as it inhibits the immune response resulting from stifling eye mucus. If your eye allergy has developed it is possible that your doctor should prescribe eye drops or prescription medicines.
This type of eye discharge often causes the eyes to become itchy, red, and swollen. Treatment depends on what is triggering the allergic response
Dry eyes- eye boogers
Insufficient tear production and malfunction of the meibomian gland can cause dry eye syndrome which can often cause irritation and inflammation. Dry eyes sometimes cause watery discharges from the eyes.
Dry eye condition causes your body to make fewer tears. Tears contain a mixture of mucus, oil, and water that help to lubricate your eyes. Less water is present in the tears when you have dry eyes. Because of this, your eyes produce tears that contain a higher amount of mucus instead, making your eye discharge sticky.
Dry eye disease is common in the elderly. Sufferers feel as though something is in their eyes and experience redness, blurred vision, and eye fatigue.
Corneal Ulcer- eye boogers
It’s rare, but an ulcer could happen when there’s an eye infection or extreme case of dry eye . It can create discharge.
When not treated promptly, a corneal ulcer can put you at risk of vision loss. It is an abscess-like infection of the cornea, typically the result of trauma to the eye or an untreated eye infection. Eye pain, redness, swollen eyelids, and thick eye discharge usually characterize a corneal ulcer. In its severe stages, it can cloud the cornea and impair vision.
Thick Green or Gray Mucus- eye boogers
The presence of dark grey mucin in the eyes might cause serious problems. It could be bacterial infections in eyes. Bacteriobacterial conjunctivitis can leave your eyelashes firmly shut during your morning sleep. Generally eye infections occur from puss producing or polygenetic bacteria. When you have trouble opening your eyes, you might have infections from bacterial eye infections.
Thick discharge is a sign of a bacterial eye infection that affects the conjunctiva. The conjunctiva is a thin, protective membrane that lines the inside of your upper and lower eyelids and the white part of your eyes. When this area becomes inflamed, it’s known as conjunctivitis (Pink Eye). It can be caused by bacteria, a virus, or an allergic reaction. If your discharge is thick, the pink eye is most likely a bacterial infection.
Dry Eye Discharge- eye boogers
Most people with dry eyes have dry eyes syndrome. Tears have a blend of ingredients that help lubricate your eyes and skin. Watery eyes mean less water for a teary eye. You have a tear that contains much more mucus which makes your blood flow sticky. Dry eyes are very common amongst older individuals. Some patients experience redness, blurred vision, or eye fatigue. Your eye doctors can prescribe eyedrops to prevent or reduce tear formation.
Thick Eye Discharge- eye boogers
Sometimes the thick bleed can be an indication of the presence of bacteria on eyes and the conjunctiva of the eyes. The conjunctiva is a thick protective layer on the outermost eyelids as well as your white eyelids. If this area becomes painful, the disease becomes conjunctivitis. It can occur from bacteria or viruses or allergic reactions.
Yellow Mucus Eye Discharge- eye boogers
A yellow mucus that forms in your eyelids can be a stye. Eye glands can become damaged in a certain time, or they release mucus into them. In cases of stasis, it can cause bruising of the eye area as well as the sensitivity to light. The eyelids may be red or have a small hole in it (the inner hordeolum). Pus may accumulate in this center and cause yellowish spots that look like pimples. Maybe your mucus will be pulled like a pimple. It’s not recommended since it’s possible that you gets an infection. Immediately see the eye doctor for the cause.
White or Yellow Eye Discharge- eye boogers
The nasolacrimal sac may be a nasocellular sac that causes an obstruction in the tear canal. These problems are easily identifiable since their mucus will be tiny balls. The doctor will confirm the infection and determine whether it is dacryotic cystitis if the case has been confirmed. Symptoms can include inflammation, pain and swelling, especially at your eye corners. Conjuncolitis occurs due to bacterial infections that can cause eyes to be closed with mucus.
Crusty Eyelashes and Thick Eye Mucus- eye boogers
The condition blepharitis causes your eyelids to be itchy and red. This can result in crusted, dandruff shaped flakes around the eyes. It is possible to develop a headache from the eye problem. The virus is not contaminating and doesn’t irritate the eye.
Blepharitis treatments include regularly sanitizing your face with eye drops to ensure there is no crust on it. Apply a warm compress and cleanse the eyeslids. Eyelid scrub can take many forms. Eyes are closed and rinsed off with the clean cloth with gentle movements forward and downward. We highly recommend Avenova eyelid cleanser.
White or Yellow Mucus Balls- eye boogers
White mucus and watery tears are one common cause of dacryocystis. It can cause nascosomiac or tear duct infections. You might experience swelling or bruising around the nasal area of the eyelids. Alternatively you can see discharges in the punctal area. It’s a tiny hole that drains out of the eye. The condition can become severe as the patient fails to consult an eye doctor immediately to have a prescription for antibiotics.
Morning Mucus (Sleep Crust)- eye boogers
Sleep crust is a mixture of exfoliated skin cells and tears deposited on the eyes during sleep. This is a vital aspect in the normal eye function. Throughout the day mucus washes off if tears are blinking. Basically it helps avoid the mucosal residue in the eye. When you fall asleep though gravity makes your eye crust a little smaller when you’re asleep.
Eye Bump & Mucus- eye boogers
Styes are small, painful bumpy red spots located near eyelid edges. Normally they form through bacteriological causes. Sometimes the eyelid is damaged or enlarged from bacteria. Those with severe stye symptoms can go straight to the eye doctor for help with their diagnosis. Don’t try to squeeze.
Watery Mucus- eye boogers
One form of discharge from the eye is a watery tear containing a little mucus. This may be the result of viruses. Viral conjunctivitis can result in eyelash swelling and blurred eyesight. Typically this conjunctivitis called pink eyes can cause serious complications. Always wash in a washroom handbag so you don’t spread the infection around another person’s skin. Keep a separate towel for the other.
Small, Dry Particles of Mucus- eye boogers
You can be suffering from Dry Ocular Disease if you have dry eyes when you wake up. Human tears are mainly water, mud and oils. Usually, your tear lining becomes thinner when the mucus is thickened and the oil is sticky. Many people have dry eye and are treated with various products and medications such as a cold compress and a warm compress to keep them from drying out.
Yellow Mucus With A Small Bump- eye boogers
When your eyelids block meibomian ducts there can be infections. The disease causes swelling which forms small bumps. This swelling affects the whole eyeslid making them red, tender, and puffy. Aside from raised bumplike pimples, you may experience yellow mucus and sensitivity to light. Those with sties should see their eye doctor regularly. Do not attempt to blow the stye because it spreads bacteria or worsens the problem. Forceful breaking of skin surface may have caused infection.
Contact lenses
Contact lenses can cause eye infections if the lens is dirty.
Other eye infections- eye boogers
Other eye infections In addition to conjunctivitis, there are many eye infections that cause abnormal eye discharge. These include: eye herpes (a recurrent viral eye infection), fungal keratitis (a rare but serious inflammation of the cornea ) and Acanthamoeba keratitis (a potentially blinding infection typically caused by poor contact lens hygiene or swimming while wearing contacts ).
Best treatment for dry eyes – TheraLife
The best treatment for blepharitis/dry eyes from TheraLIfe
References
Read on to find out if eye discharge is something you should be concerned about from a local optician .
Signs of abnormal eye discharge. (n.d.) https://silversteineyecenters.com/blog/2014/12/signs-of-abnormal-eye-discharge/ Tear duct obstruction and surgery. (2015, February)
