Eye Boogers 101: What To Know About Eye Discharge

Eye boogers come from normal eye discharge (medical name: rheum). They’re generally harmless and rarely serious, and everyone has them at times. But what are eye boogers, and why do we get them?

In this article, we’ll discuss what normal eye boogers are and what causes them. We’ll also let you know when eye gunk might be a sign of something that needs medical attention and what treatment might look like.

What Are Eye Boogers?

It doesn’t matter what you call it—eye boogers, eye mucus, eye crust, or something else. It’s that mass of goop or crusty bits you sometimes see (and maybe feel) around your eyes, especially upon waking in the morning. That gunk is typically the result of healthy eye discharge that’s part of your eye’s normal function.

Why do eye boogers form? Let’s talk a little about how and why your eyes produce eye boogers.

What Causes Eye Boogers? How Healthy Eye Gunk Forms

The surface of your eye is covered with a clear coating of tears called the tear film. This coating keeps the eye moist and helps protect it from irritants and bacteria. The tear film also “feeds” your eye with oxygen and nutrients. It keeps your eye’s surface smooth so it can focus light properly—an important part of the vision process.

Now, imagine a car’s wipers spreading washer fluid across the windshield while they whisk away dirt. Likewise, each time you blink, you’re spreading new tear film across your eye while washing off debris, skin cells, and old tear film. This mixture of matter is what your eye discharge is ordinarily made of.

When you’re asleep, your eyes aren’t blinking. As a result, eye discharge collects in the corners of your eyes and on the lash line. Here, the discharge coagulates and forms eye boogers. These typical eye boogers can be crusty, watery, or goopy—and might appear clear, white, or tinged with a little bit of yellow.

Other Reasons for Eye Discharge: Possible Eye Issues

Sometimes, eye boogers can indicate a bacterial or viral eye infection or other eye condition, especially if you see a lot of goop, it’s an odd color, or if it occurs with other symptoms (we’ll go over these later).

Let’s take a look at some eye issues that can cause more atypical eye discharge and eye boogers:

• Allergies: Allergens can cause eyes to water more than usual, which could make eyes more crusty too. 
• Blepharitis: Otherwise known as inflamed eyelids, blepharitis is a common eye condition that can result in very crusty eyes from extra discharge.
• Blocked tear duct: A normally functioning tear duct helps your eye drain excess tears. When a duct is blocked, the tears have nowhere to go and collect in the eye’s corners and on the eyelids. So extra eye mucus could be a symptom of a blocked tear duct. Excessive eye boogers in babies may be dacryostenosis, a congenital blocked tear duct that’s fairly common in newborns. 
• Conjunctivitis (pink eye): Excessive eye mucus or watery discharge is a common symptom of both viral and bacterial conjunctivitis.
• Dry eyes: It may seem odd that dry eyes can cause eye boogers, but one possible sign of dry eyes is excess tears, which can accumulate and form eye gunk.
• Eye infections: A greater-than-usual amount of gunky eye discharge and boogers can signal an eye infection. In some cases, the eye boogers may look unusual too. They could contain pus, which can make them appear more green, yellow, or gray. 
• Eye injury: An eye injury like a corneal abrasion (scratched cornea) can cause an increase in tears and eye discharge.
• Object stuck in the eye: An object like a piece of dust stuck behind an eyelid, for instance, can cause the eye to produce extra tears in an effort to flush it out. The extra tears can collect and become eye boogers. 
• Stye: A stye is similar to a pimple on your eyelid, often due to an infected oil gland. Styes can ooze and cause crusty eyes.

When Eye Mucus Could Be a Sign of an Eye Issue

See an eye doctor if you experience any of these symptoms along with normal eye discharge. They could indicate an eye condition or health issue.

• Blurred vision
• Constantly watery eyes
• Excessive eye boogers, especially if they are green, yellow, or gray
• Eye pain
• Eyes stuck together with eye mucus
• Fever
• Itchy eyes
• Photophobia (light sensitivity)
• Swollen or red eyes or eyelids
• White, stringy mucus in the eye

Eye Discharge Treatment and Home Remedies

First of all, let’s talk about what not to do. Don’t rub your eyes, touch the surface of your eyes, or “fish” mucus from your eyes. These practices can cause an eye injury or make an existing problem worse.

If you’re concerned about eye discharge, it’s best to seek help from an eye doctor. Based on the cause, they might recommend a medical solution, home remedy, or a combination of these to get rid of the mucus and crustiness.

Another note: Refrain from using contact lenses and see an eye doctor if you’re having problems with eye mucus or are experiencing any issues with your eyes or vision.  Be sure to remove your contact lenses before trying any remedies.

Let’s take a look at common treatments your doctor might recommend for eye boogers:

• Eye drops: Your eye doctor might recommend a specific type of eye drop depending on what’s causing the problem. For instance, in case of an infection, they might prescribe antibiotic eye drops. If the issue is dry eye syndrome, your doctor might suggest eye drops for dry eyes, like artificial tears. Antihistamine drops could help someone suffering from eye allergies.
• Medication: Medication taken orally might be indicated to clear an underlying eye or health condition.
• Warm compress: Placing a clean, warm washcloth over your closed eyes for a few minutes can help soften the eye crust and relieve discomfort. 
• Cold compress: Alternatively, your doctor might tell you to use a cold compress to soothe symptoms like itchiness or redness.
• Cleaning your eyes: Your eye doctor may suggest using a clean washcloth or cotton pad moistened in warm water to gently remove eye mucus and crust from the eyes. Be sure to wash your hands before and after you clean your eyes in case a contagious condition is causing the eye gunk.

Eye Discharge is Normal, But…

Gunky eyes are usually nothing to worry about. But to be safe, ask an eye doctor if your eye gunk seems to be too much or looks odd. They’ll alert you to any underlying eye health condition that needs treatment. In fact, whenever something is “off” about your eyes or anytime you have questions about eye care, it’s best to make an eye appointment (and we know where you can do that).