Waking up with yellowish crust in the corners of your eyes—often referred to as “eye boogers” or “sleep”—is a common experience. While typically harmless, understanding its composition and when it might signal a problem is important.JOE.co.uk+2SELF+2Medical News Today+2
What Is That Yellow Stuff?
The yellowish discharge is medically known as rheum. It’s a mixture of mucus, dead skin cells, oils, dust, and other debris that accumulates in the eyes. During the day, blinking helps to flush out these substances. However, during sleep, the lack of blinking allows rheum to collect and dry in the corners of the eyes. This is a normal part of the eye’s self-cleaning process. Tyla+3University of Utah Healthcare+3Healthline+3SELF+1University of Utah Healthcare+1
When to Be Concerned
While some eye discharge upon waking is normal, certain changes can indicate underlying issues:
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Color and Consistency: Thick, yellow or green discharge may suggest a bacterial infection like conjunctivitis (pink eye). Verywell Health+3GoodRx Medicine+3University of Utah Healthcare+3
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Quantity: An excessive amount that causes the eyelids to stick together could be a sign of an infection.
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Accompanying Symptoms: Redness, pain, blurred vision, or sensitivity to light alongside discharge warrant medical attention.
Common Causes of Abnormal Discharge
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Conjunctivitis: An inflammation of the conjunctiva, often caused by infections or allergies, leading to redness and discharge.
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Blepharitis: Inflammation of the eyelid margins, resulting in crusty debris and irritation.Healthline
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Styes: Infections of the oil glands in the eyelids, causing localized swelling and pus.
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Blocked Tear Ducts: Especially common in infants, leading to persistent discharge.NHMRC
Maintaining Eye Hygiene
To manage and prevent excessive eye discharge:
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Gentle Cleaning: Use a warm, damp washcloth to gently wipe away discharge.Medical News Today+1University of Utah Healthcare+1
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Avoid Rubbing: Refrain from touching or rubbing your eyes to prevent irritation or infection.
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Hand Hygiene: Regularly wash hands to reduce the risk of transferring bacteria to the eyes.
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Consult a Professional: If you notice persistent or unusual symptoms, seek advice from an eye care specialist.
In summary, while the presence of some eye discharge in the morning is a normal part of the eye’s maintenance, being attentive to changes in its appearance and associated symptoms is key to ensuring ocular health.
