Eye discharge, or "sleep" in your eyes, is a
combination of mucus, oil, skin cells and other debris that accumulates in the
corner of your eye while you sleep. It can be wet and sticky or dry and crusty,
depending on how much of the liquid in the discharge has evaporated. Other
slang terms used to describe eye discharge include eye boogers, eye mattering,
eye gunk and eye pus. Sometimes called rheum, eye discharge has a protective
function, removing waste products and potentially harmful debris from the tear
film and the front surface of your eyes.Eye discharge
Abnormal eye discharge could indicate an eye infection or
disease.
Your eyes produce mucus throughout the day, but a continuous
thin film of tears bathes your eyes when you blink, flushing out the rheum
before it hardens in your eyes.
When you're asleep -and not blinking — eye discharge
collects and crusts in the corners of your eyes and sometimes along the lash
line, hence the term "sleep in your eyes."
Some sleep in your eyes upon waking is normal, but excessive
eye discharge, especially if it's green or yellow in color and accompanied by
blurry vision, light sensitivity or eye pain, can indicate a serious eye
infection or eye disease and should be promptly examined by your eye doctor.
Where Does Eye Mucus Come From?
Eye discharge is a function of your tear film and a
necessary component of good eye health. Eye rheum primarily consists of thin,
watery mucus produced by the conjunctiva (called mucin), and meibum — an oily
substance secreted by the meibomian glands which helps keep your eyes
lubricated between blinks. When not washed away by tears, the accumulated
debris, or "mattering," collects in the inner corner of the eye as
well as along the lash line.
Causes of Eye Discharge
Sleep in your eyes usually isn't cause for alarm, but if you
notice a difference in consistency, color and quantity of eye gunk, it could
indicate an eye infection or disease.
Common eye conditions associated with abnormal eye discharge
include:
Conjunctivitis: Eye discharge is a common symptom of
conjunctivitis (pink eye), an inflammation of the conjunctiva — the thin
membrane that lines the "white" of the eye (sclera) and the inner
surface of the eyelids.
In addition to itchy, gritty, irritated and red eyes,
conjunctivitis typically is accompanied by white, yellow or green eye mucus
which can form a crust along the lash line while you sleep. In some cases,
eyelid crusting can be so severe that it temporarily seals your eye shut.
