Eye Discharge: Common Causes & When to See a Doctor

Eye discharge is very common and is often noticed in the morning after sleep. While small amounts are normal, persistent or excessive eye discharge may be a sign of inflammation or infection.

Eye discharge is made of tears, oil, mucus, and skin cells that help protect the eyes and remove debris. When it becomes thick, yellow, green, or occurs with redness, swelling, itching, or blurry vision, an underlying condition may be present.

Common causes of eye discharge include pink eye, dry eye syndrome, blepharitis, styes, keratitis, uveitis, ocular herpes, and blocked tear ducts in babies. Treatment depends on the cause and may include artificial tears, warm compresses, antibiotic or antiviral eye drops, or medical evaluation to prevent complications.

Main causes

The most common causes of eye discharge include: 

1. Pink eye

Pink eye, or conjunctivitis, is one of the most common causes of persistent eye discharge. It is characterized by inflammation of the membrane that lines the eyes and eyelids, also known as the conjunctiva. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), viral and bacterial pink eye can spread easily from person to person through close contact and by touching contaminated surfaces and then touching the eyes.

Conjunctivitis can also be triggered by allergies to dust, pollen, or pet fur. In addition to excessive discharge, pink eye often causes intense itching, swelling, and redness of the eye.

How to treat: It’s important to consult a healthcare provider to confirm the diagnosis and begin treatment if necessary. Management often includes artificial tears or antibiotic and antihistamine ointments or eye drops.

Because infectious pink eye is contagious, those affected should stay home to avoid spreading it to others. 

2. Dry eyes

Dry eye syndrome is a long-term condition that develops when the eyes don’t produce enough tears or when tears evaporate too quickly. Because tears are essential for keeping the eyes lubricated, reduced tear production can cause burning, light sensitivity, blurry vision, or the sensation that something is in the eye. 

Dry eye syndrome is more common in people who spend a lot of time using computers or mobile phones, or who work in very dry or air-conditioned environments. It can also occur as a result of normal aging, menopause, or certain health conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren’s syndrome, lupus, or blepharitis.

How to treat: It’s important to keep the eyes well lubricated using the eye drops or artificial tears recommended by your doctor or other healthcare provider. People who experience dry eye symptoms from frequent computer use should remember to blink regularly while working to help prevent dryness.

3. Cold or flu

Excess tearing can occur with a cold or the flu, which may result in an increase in eye discharge or crusting.

It’s also common for the eyes to become red and swollen, which can cause itching and a warm sensation around the area.

How to treat: Cleanse your eyes regularly with saline, and make sure to rest, drink plenty of fluids, and eat a balanced diet. Cold and flu symptoms usually improve on their own within a few days.

4. Dacryocystitis

Dacryocystitis is an inflammation of the lacrimal sac caused by a blockage in the tear drainage system. It may be present at birth (congenital) or develop later due to other health conditions, nasal fractures, or as a complication following rhinoplasty.

In dacryocystitis, eye crusting is often accompanied by redness, swelling, warmth around the affected area, and sometimes fever. A blockage in the lacrimal sac can allow microorganisms to grow, further worsening the inflammation.

How to treat: Dacryocystitis in newborns usually improves within the first year of life without any medical intervention. You should clean the baby’s eyes with saline and keep the eye lubricated to prevent dryness. The baby may benefit from light massage in the corner of the eyes to facilitate drainage.

Dacrocystitis caused by other health conditions, fractures, or surgery may be treated with anti-inflammatory or antibiotic eye drops. More severe cases may require a surgical procedure to remove any obstructions. 

5. Blepharitis

Blepharitis is linked to inflammation of the eyelids, which causes crusting around the eyelashes. The swelling occurs when changes in the Meibomian glands, responsible for keeping the eyes moist, disrupt their normal function.

In addition to discharge, patients may experience sudden symptoms such as itching, redness, eyelid swelling, and tearing.

How to treat: Treatment focuses on restoring moisture and helping the tear glands function normally. At home, this can be achieved by keeping the eyes clean and gently removing any crusts. Applying a warm compress to the affected eye for about 3 minutes, up to 3 times a day, can help relieve discomfort.

If eyelid inflammation keeps coming back, you should see an ophthalmologist for an evaluation and more specific treatment.

6. Uveitis

Uveitis is inflammation of the uvea, the middle layer of the eye that includes the iris, ciliary body, and choroid. It can develop because of an infection or an autoimmune condition that causes the body to attack its own tissues.

Uveitis can cause excessive eye discharge, along with light sensitivity, blurred vision, and eye floaters.

How to treat: If you notice symptoms of uveitis, see an ophthalmologist as soon as possible. Treatment focuses on preventing complications and may include anti-inflammatory, corticosteroid, or antibiotic eye drops.

7. Keratitis 

Keratitis is an inflammation or infection of the cornea that can be caused by fungi, bacteria, viruses, or parasites. It most often occurs due to improper contact lens use. This condition can lead to increased eye discharge, which may become more watery, thicker, or change in color.

In addition to eye discharge or crusting, other possible symptoms include redness, blurry vision, a burning sensation, and difficulty opening the eyes.

How to treat: You should consult an ophthalmologist for evaluation and treatment, which may involve using antibiotic eye drops or ointments. The goal of treatment is to eliminate the infection and relieve symptoms.

In more severe cases, vision may be affected, and a corneal transplant could be necessary to restore sight.  

8. Sty

A sty is an infection or inflammation of a small oil gland in the eyelid. It often causes extra tearing and more crust around the eye than usual. Other possible symptoms include eye pain, swelling of the eyelid, redness, discomfort, and itching. 

Styes usually develop as a result of bacterial infection, seborrhea, acne, or chronic blepharitis.

How to treat: A stye usually goes away on its own within 3 to 5 days without any special treatment. A healthcare provider may suggest applying warm compresses to reduce swelling and ease discomfort.

If the stye does not improve after a few days, see your primary care provider. You may need treatment with an antibiotic ointment or eye drops.

9. Meibomitis 

Meibomitis is an inflammation of the meibomian glands, which are located in both the upper and lower eyelids. This condition can cause redness, eyelid swelling, eye discharge, and foamy tears.

This inflammation can develop from contact lens use, exposure to dry environments, prolonged computer or cellphone use, hormonal changes, or the use of glaucoma eye drops.

How to treat: Treatment for meibomitis should be managed by an ophthalmologist and will depend on how severe your symptoms are.

Your doctor may suggest applying warm compresses to your eyes and using lubricating, steroid, or antibiotic eye drops. In more serious cases, surgery may be necessary.

10. Ocular herpes

Ocular herpes is a viral infection caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). It can affect one or both eyes and produce symptoms similar to pink eye, including eye crusting, itching, swelling, redness, irritation, blurry vision, and sometimes blisters or ulcer-like lesions around the eyes.  

Ocular herpes is contagious and can spread easily through direct contact with blisters or fluid from the eyes or mouth. It may also spread indirectly if you touch a contaminated surface and then touch your eyes.

How to treat: You should see an ophthalmologist as soon as possible to begin treatment and prevent complications such as vision loss. Treatment usually involves antiviral or corticosteroid medications, which may be given as pills or eye drops.

11. COVID-19

COVID-19 is primarily a respiratory illness that commonly causes symptoms such as dry cough, fever, and loss of smell or taste. However, it can also affect the eyes, leading to vision changes such as optic neuritis or conjunctivitis (pink eye). These eye-related symptoms may include increased discharge, pain, light sensitivity, and itching.

The eye changes associated with COVID-19 are not yet fully understood. They may result from a pre-existing eye condition that worsens during infection, or from direct damage the virus causes to the nerves, blood vessels, or other eye structures.

How to treat: People diagnosed with COVID-19 should stay in isolation and contact their healthcare provider. Getting plenty of rest, staying well hydrated, and taking medications to relieve symptoms can support recovery.

Eye discharge in babies 

Babies can develop eye discharge when they have a cold, the flu, or pink eye (conjunctivitis). Symptoms may include watery eyes even without crying, yellow discharge, redness, and swelling of the eyelids. A pediatrician should evaluate these symptoms.

Also recommended: Pink Eye in Babies: Symptoms, Causes, & Treatment tuasaude.com/en/pink-eye-in-babies

Eye crust can also result from a blocked tear duct, which is a congenital (present at birth) condition. This blockage may occur due to malformation of the nasolacrimal system, abnormal cranial or facial bone development, or premature birth. It typically becomes noticeable between 3 and 12 weeks of age.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), more than 90% of blocked tear ducts clear up on their own by the time a baby is 12 months old. However, if eye discharge starts to affect the baby’s comfort or daily care, targeted treatment may be needed.