Eye Gunk - An Overview

Introduction

Eye crust is known by various names, such as eye goop, eye gunk, or eye booger. It is a residue of the eyes’ defense mechanism. Eye discharge is a mucous secretion of the eyes, normally seen after waking up. It does not cause any harm to the eye.

What Is the Mechanism Involved Behind the Formation of Eye Gunk?

Usually, the tears produced by the eye’s tear glands and rapid blinking of the eyelids help in flushing out the mucous or any debris adhering to the eye's surface, along with keeping the eyes' moisture intact. However, while sleeping, there is no movement of the eyes. Hence the mucous secreted by the inner lining of the eyelids (conjunctiva), oil from the meibomian glands, and other debris get collected at the corners of the eye, which later crusts.

What Are the Characteristics of an Eye Gunk?

Eye gunk usually is hard and crusty or wet and sticky in consistency. It is a mix of mucous, tears, and dead skin cells. Eye gunk’s color ranges from clear to pale yellow.

Is the Presence of Eye Crust a Problem?

Normally, the presence of eye gunk after sleep is a regular phenomenon and requires no special attention. However, the presence of sleep crust during waking hours might signify the presence of some inapparent pathology.

What Are the Conditions Which Presents With Eye Crust?

Eye crusts are seen in a few conditions, even during waking hours. These include:

• Blepharitis. It is an inflammatory condition of the eyelids occurring due to clogging of the oil glands at the base of the eyelids.

• Dry eyes are characterized by inadequate tearing of the eyes.

• Allergic conjunctivitis.

• Blockage in the tear duct.

What Are the Abnormal Clinical Signs Seen With Eye Crust When Associated With Other Conditions?

Abnormal clinical findings that may suggest the presence of some underlying problem include:

• Increase in the amount of eye discharge.

• Difficulty in opening the eyes.

• The blurring of vision.

• Sensitivity to light (photophobia).

• Redness of eyes.

• Swelling of the eyes.

• Painful sensation in the eyes.

When Should a Specialist Consultation Be Sought?

Specialist consultation is mandatory in the following cases:

• Profuse unstoppable discharge.

• Yellow or green eye discharge.

• Extremely painful eyes.

• Sensitivity of the eyes to light.

• Irritation of the eyes.

• Burning sensation in the eyes.

• Defects in vision, such as blurring of vision.

Does Change in the Crust Color Indicate Trouble?

Generally, the color of the crust is clear to pale yellow. In bacterial infection, the color might change to yellow or green. The discharge may become sticky in case of corneal ulcers.

What Do the Different Types of Eye Discharge Tell About Eye Health?

The eye discharge is a good indicator of eye health.

• Watery discharge with redness of the eye, eyelid swelling, and blurring of vision represents viral conjunctivitis or pink eye.

• Thick green or gray discharge with sticking of the eyelids indicates infection of the pus-producing bacteria.

• Yellow mucous with a lump in the eyelid represents stye. It might be due to the clogging of the glands. Patients with stye also complain of redness and sensitivity to light.

• White or yellow mucous with tears is a sign of dacryocystitis. It is an inflammatory infection of the drainage system of tears. The discharge might also come from a tiny hole in the eyelid known as puncta. It is also associated with facial pain.

• Thick and crusty mucous is seen in blepharitis. Blepharitis is a bacterial condition accompanied by redness, swelling, and dandruff-like scales of the eyelids.

• White and stringy discharge is characteristic of allergic conjunctivitis.

• In dry eye syndrome, the discharge is presented as dry tiny particles.

How Is Eye Crust Managed?

Sleep eye crust does not require any treatment. However, if the crusting of the eyes is associated with some other condition, treatment of the underlying cause is essential.

• If the crust is associated with viral conjunctivitis, it is necessary to separate the towels used for the affected eye.

• Bacterial infections are best cured with topical or systemic antibiotics depending upon the severity of the condition.

• Crust associated with pus-producing stye and dacryocystitis is best treated by a doctor with a warm compress and antibiotics.

• Blepharitis is managed with a warm compress and scrubs.

• Crusts arising in the case of dry eyes are managed with artificial tears and lubricants, avoiding powdery makeup, and keeping the body and eyes hydrated.

• Allergic conjunctivitis is best treated with topical antihistamine eye drops.

Home Remedies Adopted to Remove Sleep Eye Crust:

A few measures help in removing the eye crusts at home.

• Maintain proper hand hygiene before touching the eyes.

• Clean your eyes with clean water.

• Avoid vigorous rubbing of eyes immediately after waking up.

• Remove the crust with a washcloth dampened in warm water and gently rub under the eyelids and eyelashes.

• If there is a suspicion of pink eye or any other eye infection, use separate cloths for both eyes to avoid spreading infection.

• Maintain proper eye and contact lens hygiene.

Eye Hygiene Measures to Be Followed to Reduce the Amount of Gunk

A few simple eye hygiene measures help tremendously reduce the amount of eye gunk after sleep in the morning. The preventive measures are:

• Complete removal of any eye makeup before sleep using a cotton pellet and eye makeup remover.

• Wash the face and eye area with a cool, damp washcloth before sleeping.

• Removal of contact lenses before sleeping.

Conclusion

Sleep eye crust or boogers usually are normal eye discharge or mucous secretion of the eye that is totally harmless. They are usually present in the corner of the eye after waking up. Eye discharge also helps in determining eye health. The presence of any other associated sign and symptom, along with eye crusting, requires immediate specialist attention.