Eye boogers are dried tears, oil, and mucus. Thick yellow or green discharge may signal infection.
What they are
Eye boogers (rheum) are dried tears, oil, mucus, dead skin cells and dust.
Why
The eyes produce them all day. They build up during sleep.
Normal
Small crusty bits in the corners.
Concerning
Thick yellow or green discharge, redness or swelling can mean conjunctivitis or an infection.
Care
Wipe with a warm, damp cloth.
See a doctor
If discharge is persistent, with pain or vision changes.
What eye discharge is
Eye boogers, also called rheum or sleep, are made of mucus, oil, skin cells and tears that dry while you sleep. The eye makes a thin tear film that carries debris to the corners. Normal discharge is small, white, clear or slightly yellow, and is more common in the morning.
- Dust, pollen, makeup and contact lenses add to buildup.
- Dry eye and blepharitis increase crusting on lashes.
- Green or yellow thick discharge with redness suggests bacterial conjunctivitis, and clear watery discharge with itching suggests allergy or viral infection.
Care and when to see a doctor
Wipe gently with a clean warm washcloth and avoid rubbing. Wash hands, clean eyelids and replace eye makeup every three months. See a doctor for pus-like discharge, eyes stuck shut, redness, pain, light sensitivity or vision changes, especially in newborns, where discharge in the first weeks can indicate a blocked tear duct (affecting about 6 percent of infants) or infection requiring treatment.
What eye discharge is
Eye boogers are mucus, oil, skin cells and tears that dry overnight. Normal discharge is small. Yellow or green discharge may signal infection like conjunctivitis.
Care and when to see a doctor
Wipe with a clean warm cloth. See a doctor for pus, redness, pain or vision changes.
What eye boogers are
Eye discharge (rheum) is a mix of mucus, oil, skin cells and dust produced during sleep, when blinking stops. A small amount of dry or crusty discharge in the morning is normal. The meibomian glands and conjunctiva create it.
When it signals a problem
Yellow or green discharge, redness, swelling, pain or crusting that glues the eyelids shut can indicate conjunctivitis (pink eye), a blocked tear duct or blepharitis. Bacterial conjunctivitis may require antibiotic drops, and viral conjunctivitis resolves in one to two weeks and is contagious. Clean with a warm washcloth and avoid touching. Contact lens wearers with discharge and pain should see an eye doctor promptly. Newborns with discharge need medical review. Wash your hands and do not share towels.
Based on data from the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
