What Are Eye Boogers?
Article Sources
- 1. Boyd, Kierstan. 'Conjunctivitis: What Is Pink Eye?' American Academy of Ophthalmology, 17 Sept. 2020, www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/pink-eye-conjunctivitis
- 2. Anthony, Kiara. 'White Eye Discharge: Causes, Treatment, and More.' Healthline, www.healthline.com/health/white-eye-discharge#
- 3. 'Blocked Tear Duct - Symptoms and Causes.' Mayo Clinic, 28 June 2019, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/blocked-tear-duct/symptoms-causes/syc-20351369
- 4. College of Optometrists - The professional body for optometrists - London, UK. 'Microbial Keratitis (bacterial, Fungal).' College of Optometrists - The Professional Body for Optometrists, www.college-optometrists.org/guidance/clinical-management-guidelines/microbial-keratitis-bacterial-fungal-.html
- 5. Cadman, Bethany. 'Mucus Fishing Syndrome: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment.' Medical and Health Information, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321722#treatment
- 6. Weinstock, Frank J., and FACS. 'Blepharitis: Eyelid Inflammation Causes, Symptoms & Treatment.' EMedicineHealth, www.emedicinehealth.com/eyelid/inflammation/blepharitis/article/em.htm
- 7. Boyd, Kierstan. 'What Are Chalazia and Styes?' American Academy of Ophthalmology, 29 Aug. 2019, www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-are-chalazia-styes
- 8. Pendick, Daniel. 'What Is Eye Herpes?' Healthline, www.healthline.com/health/eye-herpes#symptoms
- 9. Villines, Zawn. 'Eye Boogers: Causes and How to Get Rid of Them.' Medical and Health Information, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320812#causes
For those wondering what those crusty formations on their eyelids are, the colloquial term is eye boogers. They're also referred to as eye crust and sleep sand. When excess eye boogers are formed, it may indicate an underlying condition.
For the most part, it just indicates that the eye's self-cleaning mechanism works well. Eye boogers consist of a substance called rheum, which is much like mucus. It collects dust particles, skin cells, oils and water. This in turn gravitates to the corners of the eyes during sleep. As there is no blinking or expelling, the eye boogers dry out.
When Should You See a Doctor?
Signs that eye boogers may indicate something more serious include a thickening in the mucus. A change of color may also be of concern, such as when they turn bright white, gray, yellow or green. It's also worth checking out eye boogers when they're accompanied by other symptoms.
Dry and itching or watery eyes, sties and pain may all indicate conditions that may need attention from a medical professional. While these symptoms may go away on their own, there are those who may require medical intervention such as medication or surgery.
Bacterial and Viral Conjunctivitis
The thin connective tissue over the eye is called the conjunctiva. When this becomes inflamed, it's referred to as conjunctivitis. Its other name, pink eye, alludes to one of the symptoms, which is a pink or red tinge to the whites of the eyes.
Conjunctivitis can be allergic, bacterial or viral. Both bacterial and viral conjunctivitis can be highly contagious. A symptom of bacterial conjunctivitis is sticky, white eye boogers. Sticky yellow eye boogers may also occur.1Boyd, Kierstan. ‘Conjunctivitis: What Is Pink Eye?’ American Academy of Ophthalmology, 17 Sept. 2020, www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/pink-eye-conjunctivitis
Allergy Conjunctivitis
Unlike bacterial and viral conjunctivitis, conjunctivitis caused by allergies isn't contagious. The conjunctiva has an immune response to irritants such as pollen, dust and dander. This causes the eye to feel inflamed and turn red.
It may also cause itchy eyes and a sensation of grit on the eyeballs. Eye boogers may be white and sticky. Other symptoms include sneezing, swollen lids and a sudden onset of congestion. Eye drops and allergy medication may be used to manage the symptoms.2Anthony, Kiara. ‘White Eye Discharge: Causes, Treatment, and More.’ Healthline, www.healthline.com/health/white-eye-discharge#
Blocked Tear Ducts
Tear ducts are passages that travel all the way down to the nose to allow tears to drain. When the tear duct is blocked, it can force the tears through the duct and cause watery eyes. When this happens during sleep the mucus in the tears dry up and form a crusty layer.
A blocked tear duct can commonly be found in infants under the age of one. It usually resolves without medical intervention. In adults, it can indicate infection.3‘Blocked Tear Duct - Symptoms and Causes.’ Mayo Clinic, 28 June 2019, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/blocked-tear-duct/symptoms-causes/syc-20351369
Bacterial and Viral Keratitis
Eye boogers are just one symptom of a very serious corneal condition: microbial keratitis, also known as corneal ulcers. There are two different types of keratitis: bacterial and viral. Contact lens wearers can be exposed to both of these types of keratitis.
Apart from the discharge, other symptoms include pain in the eye that increases over time, red eyes, and blurry vision. Possible methods of management include corneal scrapes, topical steroids or a combination of management options.4College of Optometrists - The professional body for optometrists - London, UK. ‘Microbial Keratitis (bacterial, Fungal).’ College of Optometrists - The Professional Body for Optometrists, www.college-optometrists.org/guidance/clinical-management-guidelines/microbial-keratitis-bacterial-fungal-.html
Mucus Fishing Syndrome
When mucus is produced and the person constantly fishes it out, it's known as mucus fishing syndrome. This constant fishing could result in more mucus, as it may lead to irritation and even infection. Commonly, a preventative measure includes simply not touching the eye area to give it a chance to stop producing mucus.
Mucus fishing syndrome could also indicate body-focused, repetitive behavior or BFRB, which requires a different approach to management.5Cadman, Bethany. ‘Mucus Fishing Syndrome: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment.’ Medical and Health Information, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321722#treatment
Blepharitis
Blepharitis is a chronic irritation of the eyelids that include symptoms such as itchiness, irritation and the feeling that there's something in your eye. A number of things can cause blepharitis, such as infection or an allergic reaction.
A sign of an infection is a sticky green or yellow pus that may cause the eyelids to stick. It's important to seek medical attention when the irritation is accompanied by eye pain, a change in vision or prolonged symptoms.6Weinstock, Frank J., and FACS. ‘Blepharitis: Eyelid Inflammation Causes, Symptoms & Treatment.’ EMedicineHealth, www.emedicinehealth.com/eyelid/inflammation/blepharitis/article/em.htm
Sties
A stye is also known as a hordeolum, and there are two kinds that form on the lid. The first is a pimple-like bump at the base of the hair follicle called an external hordeolum. The other is simply a lump underneath the base of the lid called an internal hordeolum.
A stye may cause the eye to feel tender and may cause swelling. It may also feel scratchy and itchy, which can lead to the production of mucus.7Boyd, Kierstan. ‘What Are Chalazia and Styes?’ American Academy of Ophthalmology, 29 Aug. 2019, www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-are-chalazia-styes
Eye Herpes
Eye or ocular herpes is a sexually transmitted disease caused by herpes simplex virus or HSV. There are different types of eye herpes that range in severity. In severe form, the virus can cause corneal damage, which can lead to blindness.
Eye herpes may be a leading cause of blindness associated with corneal damage in the United States. Symptoms include eye pain, redness, discharge, light sensitivity and, in severe cases, a rash on the upper eyelids and forehead.8Pendick, Daniel. ‘What Is Eye Herpes?’ Healthline, www.healthline.com/health/eye-herpes#symptoms
Getting Rid Of Eye Boogers
Depending on the cause of the eye boogers, getting rid of them is a simple process. Simply fishing them out with the finger is not encouraged, as it could lead to further mucus production.
Instead, use a clean, warm damp cloth to gently wipe the eyes from the inner to the outer lid. If the boogers are caused by dry eye, eye drops may ease the discomfort. Contact lens wearers should also practice good lens hygiene.9Villines, Zawn. ‘Eye Boogers: Causes and How to Get Rid of Them.’ Medical and Health Information, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320812#causes
