The most common reason your eye produces green or gray mucus is due to a bacterial eye infection. Bacterial conjunctivitis may cause your eyelids to be glued shut when you wake up in the morning. Pyogenic bacteria or microorganisms that produce pus causes this kind of infection.
White eye discharge in one or both of your eyes is often an indication of irritation or an eye infection. In other cases, this discharge or “sleep” may just be a buildup of oil and mucus that accumulates while you're resting.
Getting rid of eye boogers
Good eye hygiene, including removing makeup at night and keeping the eyes clean by wiping the closed eyes with a clean, warm washcloth, can help reduce the eye discharge. In people with dry eyes, eye drops may also help.
If you have discharge in your eyes, you should make an appointment with your doctor. Discharge in one or both eyes could mean that you have some type of infection. Some eye infections are contagious. You should seek treatment if your symptoms persist for an extended time.
What to Expect: With treatment, the pus discharge should clear up in 3 days. The red eyes may last up to a week.
Most of the causes of watery eyes or waking up with mucus in your eyes aren't serious. They will likely go away on their own or get better with simple home treatments.
First of all, any time an eye infection is accompanied by fever, excessive discharge or pain, you should see your eye doctor immediately. The eyes are sensitive and there could be a number of factors that contribute to discomfort and irritation, some of which require medication.
Viral Conjunctivitis
Most viruses that cause conjunctivitis spread through hand-to-eye contact by hands or objects that are contaminated with the infectious virus. Having contact with infectious tears, eye discharge, fecal matter, or respiratory discharges can contaminate hands.
In an eye with pink eye, the white part looks light pink to reddish and your eyelids are puffy or droopy. You might see fluid (discharge) coming from the infected eye or crusting on your eyelashes and eyelids.
Most often, eye symptoms are associated with systemic symptoms of COVID, including the typical features of the respiratory illness we're familiar with including cough, fever, and fatigue." When the eyes are exposed to the virus, a person can develop conjunctivitis symptoms, often appearing like pink eye.
Eye infection symptoms often go away on their own in a few days. But seek emergency medical attention if you have severe symptoms. Pain or loss of vision should prompt a visit to your doctor. The earlier an infection is treated, the less likely you are to experience any complications.
A pink tint in the whites of the eye. Swollen red or purple eyelids. Crusty lashes or lids. Discharge of fluids which may be yellow, green or clear.
A small amount of clear, white or ivory-colored eye discharge is normal (as long as it isn't sticky). This is the product of your tear film clearing the surface of your eyes from dust and other cellular debris.
You should see a healthcare provider if you have conjunctivitis along with any of the following: pain in the eye(s) sensitivity to light or blurred vision that does not improve when discharge is wiped from the eye(s) intense redness in the eye(s)
Seek immediate medical attention if you have watery eyes with: Reduced vision. Pain around your eyes. A foreign body sensation.
A small amount of clear, white or ivory-colored eye discharge is normal (as long as it isn't sticky). This is the product of your tear film clearing the surface of your eyes from dust and other cellular debris.
The viruses most commonly associated with it include enterovirus 70, coxsackievirus A24, and adenoviruses. Herpetic keratoconjunctivitis – a type of conjunctivitis associated with herpes simplex virus and blister-like lesions on the skin; it may affect only one eye.
Based on data so far, doctors believe that 1%-3% of people with COVID-19 will get conjunctivitis, also called pinkeye. It happens when the virus infects a tissue called conjunctiva, which covers the white part of your eye or the inside of your eyelids. Symptoms include if your eyes are: Red.
If you have allergies or a cold, you may have woken up with wet or crusted discharge in your eyes. This discharge can cause your eyes to become so wet or gummy that it may feel like your eyes are glued shut. This symptom is also referred to as sticky eyes.
In an eye with pink eye, the white part looks light pink to reddish and your eyelids are puffy or droopy. You might see fluid (discharge) coming from the infected eye or crusting on your eyelashes and eyelids.
Salt water, or saline, is one of the most effective home remedies for eye infections. Saline is similar to teardrops, which is your eye's way of naturally cleansing itself. Salt also has antimicrobial properties. Because of this, it only stands to reason that saline can treat eye infections effectively.
Eye infection symptoms often go away on their own in a few days. But seek emergency medical attention if you have severe symptoms. Pain or loss of vision should prompt a visit to your doctor. The earlier an infection is treated, the less likely you are to experience any complications.
Avoid touching your eyes with unwashed hands. Do not share items used by an infected person; for example, do not share pillows, washcloths, towels, eye drops, eye or face makeup, makeup brushes, contact lenses, contact lens storage cases, or eyeglasses.