(PresidentialHill.com)- Eye “crust” or “goop” is natural as we wake up. If, however, you notice a sudden increase, you may have an infectious eye illness.
When we sleep, our eyes concentrate debris and mucous in their corners. Rheum is eye mucus.
Patients sometimes ask Dr. Peici Kuan, head of pediatric ophthalmology at Show Chwan Memorial Hospital, “Why do I wake up with eye boogers?”
Dr. Kuan says it’s normal to wake up with eye mucous. However, you should seek medical help if you have completely removed all of your eye mucus in the morning, but it returns quickly, requiring you to clean the sticky discharge from your eyes throughout the day.
Here are the ailments that can be associated with the symptom of crusty eyes:
Epidemic Keratoconjunctivitis (Pinkeye):
Epidemic keratoconjunctivitis is an inflammation of the membrane covering the eyelid and the front of the eyeball.
The illness might affect both eyes concurrently or sequentially.
Due to eye mucus, the patient may wake up with their eyelids glued together. Other symptoms include itchy eyes, foreign body sensation, photophobia, and swollen eyes. Pinkeye is pandemic keratoconjunctivitis.
Corneal Ulcers:
Corneal ulcers are another reason. Germs, viruses, mold, or amoeba can invade the eye and cause a corneal ulcer.
Symptoms include severe eye discomfort, lacrimation, foreign body feeling, conjunctival congestion and redness, photophobia, impaired vision, and increased ocular discharge.
Backward eyelashes, foreign object damage (iron dust, sand, chemicals), and inappropriate eye drop application cause corneal ulcers. Most cases are caused by wearing contact lenses for too long, sleeping with them, or not cleaning them correctly.
Birth Canal Infection and Obstruction of the Nasolacrimal Duct:
Newborns can get ocular mucous through their mothers’ birth canals.
Blocked nasolacrimal ducts increase eye mucus in one or both eyes.
Things to Do When You Have Pinkeye:
Immediately seek medical attention if eye mucus suddenly increases. If not treated quickly, epidemic keratoconjunctivitis can spread to the whole family. Virus infiltration and pseudomembrane formation on the cornea might extend the sickness if it’s severe.
With keratoconjunctivitis, prevent subsequent infections. No eye-rubbing! Before and after applying eye drops, wash your hands. Instead of cleaning eye discharge with their hands, they should use a sterile cotton swab.
Patients with epidemic keratoconjunctivitis should also be careful not to spread the disease by:
-frequently washing their hands with soap, especially after using eye drops or touching
-avoiding swimming or water sports for the time being
-not sharing personal items with others, including towels, washbasins, pillows, and other things that may come in contact with the eyes
-washing their towels separately and disinfecting the dryer.
Patients with epidemic keratoconjunctivitis should wash their hands often and avoid public locations to prevent unintended spread.
