Eye Discharge: Causes by Color and When to Worry

Why your eyes make discharge

Your eyes are coated with a tear film of oil (from glands in the eyelids), water and mucus. Blinking spreads it and washes debris toward the inner corner. During sleep you do not blink, so this mix dries into crust at the corners. Medically it is called rheum.

Discharge increases when the eye surface is irritated or infected. The color and texture give strong clues.

Eye discharge by color and texture

White eye discharge

White discharge is the most searched type and is usually not serious. The main causes:

Allergic conjunctivitis

Pollen, dust mites, pet dander and mold make the eye release histamine. Expect intense itching, redness, puffy eyelids, and white, stringy mucus in both eyes, often with sneezing and a runny nose. Rubbing makes it worse, releasing more histamine and more mucus. See allergic conjunctivitis.

Dry eye

When the tear film is unstable, the eye makes extra mucus that forms white strands, especially in the inner corners. Eyes feel gritty, burning and tired, worse with screen use, air conditioning and wind. See dry eye.

Blepharitis

Inflammation of the eyelid margins blocks oil glands. You may notice white or yellowish crust or froth at the lid edges and on the lashes, red lid margins and gritty eyes, worst in the morning. See blepharitis.

Contact lenses

Protein deposits on lenses and allergy to solutions can cause white mucus and itching (giant papillary conjunctivitis). Pain or redness in a lens wearer needs prompt care to rule out a corneal infection.

For a fuller look at this one color, see white discharge from the eye.

Eye discharge only at night or in the morning

Discharge that builds up overnight is usually normal rheum, blepharitis, dry eye (especially if the eyelids do not close fully during sleep), or bacterial conjunctivitis, which often glues the lashes together by morning. Allergy discharge tends to be worse during the day after exposure.

Infectious causes

Bacterial conjunctivitis

Thick yellow or green discharge, crusted lashes, and a red, gritty eye. It often starts in one eye and spreads to the other. Many mild cases clear within a week on their own. Antibiotic drops shorten the illness and are usually needed for schools and daycare that require them.

Viral conjunctivitis

Viral conjunctivitis causes watery or slightly sticky discharge, a pink, gritty eye, and often a cold or sore throat. It is highly contagious for up to 2 weeks. Antibiotics do not help.

Corneal infection

A corneal ulcer causes pain, light sensitivity, blurred vision and sometimes a white spot on the cornea, with discharge. It is an emergency, especially in contact lens wearers.

Newborns

Babies often have a blocked tear duct, causing a watery eye with mucus, which usually clears by 12 months. But discharge in the first 4 weeks of life can be infection from the birth canal, including chlamydia or gonorrhea, and needs prompt care.

How it is diagnosed

A doctor or optometrist will ask about itching, pain, vision, contact lenses and recent colds, then examine the eyelids, conjunctiva and cornea, often with a slit lamp and fluorescein dye. Swabs are taken for severe, recurrent or newborn cases.

Treatment

• Clean the eyes: use a clean washcloth or cotton pad soaked in warm water. Wipe from inner corner outward, using a new pad for each eye.
• Allergies: antihistamine eye drops such as ketotifen or olopatadine, cool compresses, avoiding triggers, and not rubbing.
• Dry eye: preservative-free artificial tears several times a day, screen breaks, and a humidifier.
• Blepharitis: warm compresses for 5 to 10 minutes, then gentle lid scrubs, once or twice daily.
• Bacterial conjunctivitis: antibiotic drops or ointment if prescribed.
• Viral conjunctivitis: cool compresses and artificial tears. It clears in 1 to 3 weeks.

Wash your hands often, avoid sharing towels, and replace eye makeup used during an infection. Do not wear contact lenses until the eye is clear.

Frequently asked questions

Why do I have white discharge in my eye corners?

White discharge in the corners is most often caused by allergies, dry eye, blepharitis or contact lens irritation. A small amount on waking is normal. If it comes with intense itching, allergy is likely. With gritty, burning eyes, dry eye or blepharitis is more likely.

What does thick white discharge from the eye mean?

Thick white or pale mucus usually means allergic conjunctivitis or an irritated eye surface from dry eye or contact lenses. Thick yellow or green discharge is more typical of bacterial infection. See a doctor if there is pain, light sensitivity or blurred vision.

How do you treat white eye discharge?

Treat the cause: antihistamine eye drops and avoiding triggers for allergies, artificial tears for dry eye, and warm compresses with lid cleaning for blepharitis. Clean discharge with warm water. Avoid rubbing. Persistent discharge should be checked by an eye care professional.

Is eye discharge contagious?

Discharge from bacterial or viral conjunctivitis is contagious, so wash your hands, avoid touching your eyes and do not share towels. Discharge from allergies, dry eye or blepharitis is not contagious.

Why does my eye discharge get worse when I rub my itchy eye?

Rubbing releases more histamine from cells in the conjunctiva, which increases itching, redness and mucus. It can also transfer germs. Cold compresses and antihistamine drops calm the itch better than rubbing.