There are several reasons why you may have goopy eyes. While it is normal to have a little “gunk” or eye discharge in the morning, some causes of eye discharge are more serious and may require medical attention.
This article covers some of the most common causes of eye discharge and what they look like. It also discusses other related symptoms, as well as the common ways to treat these conditions.
Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis (also called pink eye) results in goopy eyes that are also often very red or bloodshot. Pink eye can also cause the eyes to burn or feel itchy.
Infection can be caused by bacterial or viral agents. Depending on the germ that has caused this infection, eye discharge may be white, yellow, or even green in coloration.
Conjunctivitis can occur in both children and adults. Viral conjunctivitis is often accompanied by common cold symptoms, or may be related to herpes simplex infections.
At home, treatment for pink eye may include a warm compress to reduce redness and swelling. Even if symptoms are mild, pink eye can be very contagious. Avoid touching your eyes and practice frequent hand washing to avoid spreading the infection to others.
Antibiotic eyedrops may be an option if your symptoms don’t clear up in a few days. Your healthcare provider also may need to treat an underlying cause of conjunctivitis.
Allergies
Eye allergies can also be called allergic conjunctivitis and cause a clear or white eye discharge. Additional symptoms include:
Eye redness Itchy eyes Burning eyes Other symptoms consistent with hay fever or pollen allergies
In many cases, treatment with over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamines, nasal sprays, eye drops, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) will clear up symptoms. In some cases, prescription eyedrops and a corticosteroid may also be used.
Blocked Tear Ducts
Goopy eyes can also be the result of blocked tear ducts. Blocked tear ducts can happen to anyone at any age, though they are most common among infants. Their tear ducts are small and are, therefore, more prone to blockage. This can occur because the duct is blocked by a thin piece of tissue.
Infants may also have closed or undeveloped corners of the eyes that prevent tears from draining into the nasolacrimal ducts properly. This typically resolves as they grow and the ducts open up more.
Blocked tear ducts can occur in older children and adults when damaged from a facial injury or blocked by infectious debris.
A condition called dacryocystitis is an infection of the eye drainage system which can be accompanied by redness and swelling around the eyes or nose. In extreme cases, fever and pain may also occur. Sometimes, a dacryocystorhinostomy is needed to unblock the tear duct drainage system.
Generally, treatment will depend on the cause. Antibiotics may be used when the cause is an infection, or a dilation procedure may be performed to open up a blocked tear duct.
Stye
A stye is an inflamed gland on the edge of your eyelid which arises from an infected eyelash follicle. This fairly common condition usually causes a bump on the edge of your eyelid, which may become tender and sore.
Styes are caused by bacterial infections that lead to excessive tear production. Some underlying health conditions, including diabetes, may make their development more common.
Most styes can be treated at home by keeping the affected area clean and makeup-free. Warm compresses and light massage can help to relieve symptoms. If necessary, both OTC and prescription medications are available to treat a more stubborn stye.
Eye Cellulitis
Eye cellulitis, also called orbital cellulitis, is a more severe infection of the tissues surrounding the eye.
In some cases, a stye may progress to cellulitis, but they also may be related to bacterial infections, including Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae. This is a more serious cause of eye discharge that can lead to permanent eye damage.
Treatment will depend on the cause, including cases where trauma to the eye leads to cellulitis and its symptoms. These symptoms include:
Pain, swelling, and red-purple color around the eye, brow, and cheekBulging of the eyeBlurry vision, and other changes, including blindnessFever
Many people with orbital cellulitis are treated in the hospital, with intravenous (IV) antibiotics and surgery. Nasal congestion, often associated with orbital cellulitis, also may be treated.
Foreign Objects
It’s common for small foreign objects, such as dust or sand, to affect the eye. Typically, these objects can be removed fairly easily by blinking or carefully flushing out the eye.
When a goopy discharge is one of the symptoms, it’s important to see a healthcare provider. This may mean that the object is still trapped and needs to be removed with a medical procedure, or it may indicate an infection that requires treatment.
Dry Eye Disease
Dry eye disease (keratoconjunctivitis sicca) occurs when the body doesn’t produce enough tears. Reasons for the condition include normal aging, exposure to sun and wind, and some medications and underlying conditions, like lupus.
Apart from dry eyes, symptoms include:
Sense of something stuck in the eyeBurning sensation in the eyesNotably bloodshot eyes
Artificial tears and prescription medications may be used to treat dry eye disease. Lifestyle changes are important, including drinking enough water, wearing sunglasses outdoors, and avoiding smoke and other environmental irritants.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Many causes of goopy eye discharge can be treated at home and resolved in a few days. However, see a healthcare provider immediately if you have severe eye pain or redness, vision changes or blindness, a traumatic injury to the eye that causes symptoms, or symptoms that don’t change or keep getting worse.
Summary
Small amounts of eye discharge are normal, and most people have clear, white, or yellowish mucus that appears in the corner of their eyes when they wake up. This mucus is a sign of a healthy eye.
But when the mucus changes color or texture or becomes an excessive discharge, it may be a sign of a serious infection or eye condition. While home remedies help clear up goopy eye symptoms in just a few days, these situations require a healthcare provider’s assessment.
Fortunately, many of these eye conditions are easily treated in children and adults. In rare cases, such as eye cellulitis, cancer, or even a blocked tear duct, more intervention will be needed.
