Eye Discharge Causes, Treatments and More

By shirley

Reviewed: dr. stavarache

Article Sources

Article Sources

• 1. 'What Is Sleep Crust?' American Academy of Ophthalmology, 29 Mar. 2021, www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-is-sleep-crust
• 2. Boyd, Kierstan. 'Conjunctivitis: What Is Pink Eye?' American Academy of Ophthalmology, 17 Dec. 2020, www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/pink-eye-conjunctivitis
• 3. 'Sty/Stye (Hordeolum): Symptoms, Causes, Treatments.' Cleveland Clinic, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17658-sty-stye
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• 5. Porter, Daniel. 'What Is Herpes Keratitis?' American Academy of Ophthalmology, 8 Mar. 2021, www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/herpes-keratitis
• 6. Boyd, Kierstan. 'Contact Lens-Related Eye Infections.' American Academy of Ophthalmology, 30 Apr. 2021, www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/contact-lens-related-eye-infections
• 7. Turbert, David. 'What Is Bacterial Keratitis?' American Academy of Ophthalmology, 26 Apr. 2021, www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-is-bacterial-keratitis
• 8. 'What Is Endophthalmitis?' American Academy of Ophthalmology, 4 Feb. 2021, www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-is-endophthalmitis
• 9. 'Blepharitis.' Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 28 Mar. 2020, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/blepharitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20370141
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• 11. Turbert, David. 'What Is Trachoma?' American Academy of Ophthalmology, 9 Nov. 2020, www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-is-trachoma

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Typically, the eyes produce tears, mucus and oils that keep them healthy and help maintain clear vision. Upon waking in the morning, a person may have crust in their eyes. This is a collection of mucus, oils, skin cells and debris. During waking hours, blinking flushes these materials away, but they accumulate in the eyes during sleep.

Changes in the amount, color or consistency of the eye discharge may be a sign of an infection or other condition requiring medical attention. Medically significant symptoms that may occur with abnormal discharge include blurred vision, light sensitivity, eye pain and redness or swelling of the eye.¹‘What Is Sleep Crust?’ American Academy of Ophthalmology, 29 Mar. 2021, www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-is-sleep-crust

Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis, or pink eye, is a common cause of eye discharge. It may be caused by a virus, bacteria or an allergy. The person may feel as if something is in the eye, and the eye may be red, itchy and painful. The discharge may be watery, it may contain pus or mucus or it may be thick and yellow.

Applying a cool, damp cloth to the eyelids several times a day may ease conjunctivitis symptoms. Viral conjunctivitis may resolve without medical treatment. A doctor may prescribe antibiotic eye drops to manage bacterial conjunctivitis and other eye drops to alleviate symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis.²Boyd, Kierstan. ‘Conjunctivitis: What Is Pink Eye?’ American Academy of Ophthalmology, 17 Dec. 2020, www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/pink-eye-conjunctivitis