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Generally, when we wake up from our sleep, we experience a sticky, semi-solid, mucoid substance at the corner of our eyes. That substance is known as eye discharge. The consistency of the eye discharge may vary from watery or mucoid or dry powder depending on the rate of evaporation of the liquid.
Eye discharge contains mucus, oil, skin cells, and certain other debris that accumulates at the corner of our eyes when we sleep. This eye discharge is also known as rheum or sleep. The eye discharge plays an important role in removing the waste, dirt, and harmful debris from the front surface of our eyes and the tear film. The conjunctive produces the watery mucoid substance called mucin and the meibomian glands secret an oily substance. The mucin helps to wash away the dirt and the oily substance helps in lubrication. Apart from protecting the eye discharge also keeps our eyes hydrated.
Our average blinking frequency is 15-20 times per minute. When we blink the eye discharge containing mucus and dirt gets washed off continuously. It is a protective mechanism of the eye. But when we sleep, we are not blinking, so the mucoid or watery eye discharge accumulates at the corner of our eyes. Some amount of eye discharge or rheum is normal when we wake up. But if you are having excessive thick, opaque, green, or yellowish, purulent eye discharge accompanied by redness, swelling, eye pain, or sensitivity to light, it may indicate an eye infection.
Abnormal eye discharge is mainly due to infections or allergies. External injury to the eye can also cause excessive eye discharge. The following are the causes of allergic eye discharge-
Conjunctivitis is a condition in which a thin membrane of our eye called conjunctiva gets inflamed. The eye appears pink when the blood vessels get swollen due to inflammation. Conjunctiva is a thin membrane that forms the inner lining of the eyelids. Conjunctivitis is caused by a viral or bacterial infestation. Allergic reactions due to air pollutants, harmful smoke, pollen, or chlorinated water of the swimming pool can lead to conjunctivitis. Infectious conjunctivitis is contagious.
It is a form of eye inflammation involving the eyelids. The eyelids get inflamed due to bacterial infestation, dandruff of the scalp, or abnormal functioning of the oil-producing glands of the eye. Blepharitis can be of the following types-
Corneal ulcer, also known as keratitis is an inflammation of the cornea due to bacterial, viral, or fungal infection. It can be also caused due to eye injury. Symptoms of keratitis include-
Causes of Keratitis-
Bacterial Keratitis is caused due to infestation with Staphylococcus aureus or Pseudomonas aeruginosa. It is mostly observed in individuals with long periods of wearing contact lenses, without maintaining proper hygiene.
A painful eye condition caused due to blockage of the tear duct. Blockage can be partial or complete. Our lacrimal glands are responsible for producing tears. Tears wash away dirt and foreign particles that can harm the eye. Tear travels from small holes called puncta in the corner of eyelids through canals on the eyelid called canaliculi then finally draining into the nasolacrimal duct.
Blockage of the path of tear drainage causes fluid accumulation leading to excessive discharge accompanied by pain and swelling. Possible causes of blocked tear ducts include nasal polyps, injury to the related structures, sinusitis, congenital factors, nasal surgery, or cancerous growth.
Endophthalmitis is a form of eye infection that involves fluids and tissues inside the eyeball. Endophthalmitis is an emergency condition and requires immediate medical attention. This condition can be due to complications after cataract surgery.
Symptoms of Endophthalmitis include-
The uvea is a tissue layer that lies beneath the sclera (white part of the eye). Uveitis involves inflammation of the uvea. Uveitis can be due to eye injuries, bacterial, fungal, or viral infection, or a compromised immune system. Certain symptoms of uveitis include-
Eye Stye is a glandular infection involving the meibomian gland located at the base of the eyelid. The gland becomes infected due to a microbial manifestation in the eyelash follicle. Medically known as hordeolum the symptoms include-
Treatment of eye discharge depends upon the underlying cause of it. Bacterial infections generally require treatment with antibiotic eye ointment and eye drops. Certain eye conditions with eye discharge may not require any treatment and can resolve with home remedies. It is best to see an ophthalmologist if you are experiencing abnormal eye discharge.
Some common treatments of Eye Discharge include-
Abnormal eye discharge is mainly due to infectious origin or injury. Maintaining good hygiene is of utmost importance for preventing any eye disorder. Some basic hygiene steps include-
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