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
• 4. Boyd, Kierstan. 'What Is Dry Eye?' American Academy of Ophthalmology, 26 Feb. 2021, www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-is-dry-eye
• 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
• 10. 'Blocked Tear Duct.' Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 9 Mar. 2021, [www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/blocked-tear-duct/symptoms-causes/syc-20351369.](http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/blocked-tear-duct/symptoms-causes/syc-20351369.)
• 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

Stye

A stye is a painful lump that appears on or inside the eyelid. It's caused by an infection in the eyelid's oil-producing gland. The eyelid may be swollen, sore and scratchy, and excessive tearing may develop. The person may be sensitive to light and feel as if a foreign body is in the eye.

Applying a warm washcloth to the affected eye for 10 to 15 minutes up to five times each day may help relieve symptoms. Styes usually resolve within a few days.³‘Sty/Stye (Hordeolum): Symptoms, Causes, Treatments.’ Cleveland Clinic, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17658-sty-stye

Dry Eyes

Dry eyes is a condition in which the eyes produce few tears. The eyes may be scratchy, red and irritated, mucus may appear in and around the eyes and vision may be blurry. Causes of dry eyes include age, certain medications, overuse of contact lenses and diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis.

To rectify dry-eye symptoms, people may use lubricating eye drops. A doctor may use removable plugs or surgical intervention to block tear ducts in an effort to keep the eyes moist longer.⁴Boyd, Kierstan. ‘What Is Dry Eye?’ American Academy of Ophthalmology, 26 Feb. 2021, www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-is-dry-eye

Herpes Keratitis

Herpes keratitis is an infection caused by the herpes virus. It may affect the eyelids, cornea and conjunctiva, causing symptoms that may include eye discharge, tearing, redness, blurry vision and sensitivity to light.

Topical and oral antiviral medications may help resolve mild herpes keratitis infections. For more severe infections, the doctor may remove diseased cells from the cornea. Without proper treatment, the cornea may become scarred, and vision loss may occur. A corneal transplant may be necessary.⁵Porter, Daniel. ‘What Is Herpes Keratitis?’ American Academy of Ophthalmology, 8 Mar. 2021, www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/herpes-keratitis

Contact Lenses

Contact lenses may cause eye irritation or infections if they're worn too long, worn while sleeping or cleaned improperly. Symptoms include eye discharge, tearing, eye pain and redness, blurred vision and light sensitivity. Some infections related to contact lenses may lead to vision loss, so a medical evaluation is essential if these symptoms develop.

To prevent irritation and infection related to contact lenses, those who wear them should clean their lenses properly and regularly and avoid falling asleep while wearing contact lenses.⁶Boyd, Kierstan. ‘Contact Lens-Related Eye Infections.’ American Academy of Ophthalmology, 30 Apr. 2021, www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/contact-lens-related-eye-infections

Bacterial Keratitis

Bacterial keratitis is a bacterial infection of the cornea typically related to an eye injury or improper use or cleaning of contact lenses. It may develop quickly and may lead to vision loss unless addressed promptly. Besides an eye discharge, possible symptoms include tearing, eye redness and pain, blurry vision and sensitivity to light.

Applying antibiotics and steroid eye drops may help clear the infection. Swift medical attention makes vision preservation more likely.⁷Turbert, David. ‘What Is Bacterial Keratitis?’ American Academy of Ophthalmology, 26 Apr. 2021, www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-is-bacterial-keratitis

Endophthalmitis

Endophthalmitis may occur when the tissues and fluids within the eyeball become infected with bacteria introduced as a result of an eye injury, eye surgery or spread of infection from another area of the body. Without prompt treatment, endophthalmitis may cause blindness.

White or yellow pus or other discharge may be present, as well as eye redness, swollen eyelids, increasing eye pain following eye surgery or injection and decreased vision. Doctors may inject antibiotics or antifungals into the eye to manage endophthalmitis.⁸‘What Is Endophthalmitis?’ American Academy of Ophthalmology, 4 Feb. 2021, www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-is-endophthalmitis

Blepharitis

Blepharitis may develop if the oil glands near the base of the eyelashes become clogged, leading to symptoms that may include red, watery eyes and crusted, itchy eyelashes. Other symptoms may include a feeling of grit in the eye, frequent blinking and red, swollen eyelids.

Washing the eyes and applying warm, damp cloths to the eyes may help alleviate symptoms. A doctor may prescribe oral or topical medications to fight infection and control inflammation.⁹‘Blepharitis.’ Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 28 Mar. 2020, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/blepharitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20370141

Blocked Tear Duct

Mucus or a pus discharge may appear in the eyes if a tear duct is blocked. This condition is common in infants, but it may occur as a result of age-related changes, inflammation, injury or tumors. Other symptoms may include excessive tearing, reddening of the eye and painful swelling near the inner corner of the eye.

Blocked tear ducts may resolve without treatment. If not, management includes dilating and flushing out the tear duct or insertion of temporary stents.¹⁰‘Blocked Tear Duct.’ Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 9 Mar. 2021, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/blocked-tear-duct/symptoms-causes/syc-20351369.

Trachoma

Trachoma is an infection caused by a bacterium known as Chlamydia trachomatis. The infection starts with itching and discharge from both eyes, and pain and blurry vision develop later. Scarring occurs, causing the eyelashes to turn inward, irritating and possibly scratching the cornea.

When caught early, antibiotics are effective in keeping long-term complications at bay. For more advanced cases, a corneal transplant or surgery to reposition eyelashes may be necessary.¹¹Turbert, David. ‘What Is Trachoma?’ American Academy of Ophthalmology, 9 Nov. 2020, www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-is-trachoma