Should you worry about eye discharge or rheum? It’s normal for eye discharge—a combination of mucus, oil, skin cells, and other debris—to accumulate in the corners of your eyes while you sleep. But if the eye discharge is excessive or it’s starting to bother you, you should see an eye doctor.
Why There’s Eye Discharge After Waking Up
Your eyes constantly produce mucus. However, they don’t usually accumulate when you’re awake because the eye blinks occasionally. When your eyes blink, a thin film of tear washes away rheum along with other harmful debris. However, when you’re asleep, rheum tends to accumulate because you blink less often.
When Eye Discharge Becomes a Problem
If rheum starts to interfere with your daily routine or if you experience other symptoms, don’t hesitate to see an optometrist right away. Excessive eye discharge can be a sign of an infection.
The Different Types of Eye Mucus
The color and consistency of the eye mucus can indicate the underlying cause of excessive eye discharge. Here’s an overview of the different types of eye mucus and what they could possibly mean:
- Thick green or gray mucus – Thick green or gray mucus can be a sign of bacterial infection. Possible causes include conjunctivitis (which might produce mucus so thick that it shuts your eyes when you try to open them) and conjunctivitis or pink eye.
- Thick crusty mucus – Blepharitis, a condition of the eyelids, can produce foamy eye discharge and thick crusty mucus near the eyelids.
- Watery mucus – Watery mucus is a product of tears mixing with some mucus and a warning sign of a viral infection.
- Stringy, white mucus – Strings of white mucus found on the inside of your eye or under the lower eyelid are usually caused by eye allergies.
Alderwood Optical & Canyon Park Vision Clinic offers a wide range of professional optical care services. To schedule an appointment, call us at (425) 771-8472 or fill out this form. We serve homeowners in Bothell as well as the surrounding communities.