When we wake up in the morning, we all have a little bit of mucus in the corner of our eyes. Sometimes, even if something like dust gets in our eyes, the dirt comes out with a liquid like water. This is actually a normal way for the eyes to clean themselves. But do you sometimes feel that the amount of mucus that comes out is too much, the color is different, or it is difficult to open your eyes in the morning? Then this is not normal, and it may be something to pay attention to.
What is the difference between normal and abnormal discharge from the eyes?
Simply put, our eyes are constantly cleaning themselves. This is done by a combination of tears and mucus. This debris is removed as we blink throughout the day. At night, when we sleep, because we don't blink, debris and dead cells that have accumulated in the corners of our eyes accumulate. That's what we call "scum" in the morning. It's completely normal.
However, abnormal discharge or discharge from the eyes means that these substances are coming out in a different way than usual. This means that your eyes may be fighting an infection or allergy.
Let us understand this difference precisely from the table below.
| Characteristic | Why is this unusual? |
|---|---|
| Yellow or green pus | This is often a sign of a bacterial infection. This pus is produced by white blood cells that fight infection inside the eye. |
| Stuck eyes in the morning | The eyelids stick together due to excessive mucus. This is commonly seen in conditions such as "eye disease". |
| A sticky, stringy discharge | This can be a symptom of dry eye disease. This happens when the oil and water components of the tears decrease, leaving only the mucus component. |
| A frothy discharge | This type of foamy discharge can be seen in infections of the eyelid margins (blepharitis). |
Along with this unusual discharge/pus, you may experience several other symptoms:
- Redness of the eyes
- Itchy or painful eyes
- Eyelid swelling
- A gritty feeling in the eye
- Blurred vision
- Difficulty looking at bright light
Why do I have this discharge/pus coming out of my eyes?
Eye discharge is a normal part of the eye's natural cleansing process. But when it occurs abnormally, it means that the eye is trying to clear something more than normal. It could be an infection, an allergy, or another medical condition.
Main causes of abnormal discharge from the eyes
1. Conjunctivitis: This is the most common cause among us. The thin membrane that surrounds the white of the eye, called the conjunctiva, becomes inflamed. This can be caused by viruses, bacteria, or allergies like dust or pollen. A bacterial infection produces a thick yellow/green discharge , while a viral or allergic infection produces a watery discharge .
2. Keratitis: This is an inflammation of the cornea, the transparent part of the eye that covers the cornea. This can be caused by wearing contact lenses without cleaning them properly, fungal infections, or severe infections such as the herpes virus. If left untreated, a corneal ulcer can develop and start to ooze thick pus .
3. Blepharitis: This is when the oil glands at the base of the eyelids and eyelashes become blocked and infected. The eyelids become red, swollen, and itchy. The eyes are more sticky in the morning. You may notice a frothy white or yellow/green discharge .
4. Stye: This is also a very common condition. It is a condition where an oil gland at the base of an eyelid becomes infected by bacteria and forms a pimple-like lump. It becomes red and painful. It may ooze yellow pus .
Important: Never try to pop a stye yourself. Doing so can spread the infection throughout the eye.
5. Dacryocystitis: When the tear duct system that drains our tears from the eye becomes blocked, bacteria can get trapped inside and cause an infection. This causes a painful swelling on the inside of the eye between the eye and the nose. It can also cause a sticky or watery discharge. Some babies may have this duct blocked at birth.
6. Dry Eye Disease: In this, the eyes do not produce enough good quality tears. Our tears are made up of three components: water, oil, and mucus. When the water and oil components are depleted, only the thick mucus component remains, forming a sticky, stringy discharge in the eyes.
What should you do when you have discharge/pus coming from your eyes?
If you notice unusual discharge from your eyes, the best thing to do is to see your doctor right away . While some conditions can be treated at home, some, like bacterial infections, require medical attention. Some infections can be dangerous and can even cause vision loss if left untreated.
Your doctor may prescribe the following treatments, depending on the cause of the condition:
- Eye drops or ointments containing antibiotics if it is a bacterial infection.
- Antiviral medications if it is a viral infection.
- Antifungal medications if it is a fungal infection.
- Antihistamines are a type of medication used for allergies.
Additionally, you can do these things at home for relief:
- Soaking a clean cloth in hot water, wringing it out, and holding it over your eyes (warm compress) can help reduce congestion and puffiness in your eyelids.
- Artificial tears purchased from the pharmacy can help reduce the discomfort caused by dry eyes.
- If you wear contact lenses, stop using them for a few days. If you use them again, use a new pair and clean them properly.
When should you be concerned about discharge from your eyes?
If you have yellow or green discharge from your eyes, pain or swelling in your eyes, blurred vision, or if this happens after an eye injury, see a doctor without delay. If it's an emergency, go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of your nearest hospital.
A little bit of normal discharge is not a problem. But if you feel that this is different, excessive, or a different color than usual, don't take it lightly. It could be your eye trying to recover from some problem. Sometimes it may need a little help, which means medical treatment.
Take-Home Message
- It's normal to have a small amount of discharge in the corners of your eyes in the morning. However, if there is a large amount of yellow/green, sticky discharge, it's abnormal.
- If you have symptoms such as eye redness, pain, swelling, and blurred vision along with discharge from the eyes, be sure to see a doctor.
- Before you buy medicine from the pharmacy thinking you have an "eye problem," see a doctor to find out the exact cause. Because treatment varies depending on the cause.
- Never squeeze eye styes. This can spread the infection.
- Wash your hands regularly with soap and water. Avoid touching your eyes with dirty hands.
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