![]() ![]() If your eyes seem to be extra-sticky, relax and leave the washcloth on there for a few minutes. Eye discharge is usually thicker and more pus-like (purulent) in consistency than viral pink eye, and is commonly yellow, green or even gray. The best way to clean your eyes (and, it feels good!) is to lay a washcloth soaked with very warm water on your eyelids and lashes and gently clean them. It's never a good idea, as germs on your hands could lead to an eye infection. What makes my eyes red and crusted shut in the morning Blepharitis, allergy: Most commonly, this would be blepharitis (chronic inflammation of the eyelids). In those cases, I would also recommend seeing an ophthalmologist." Keep Your Eyes CleanĪlthough it's tempting to rub your eyes with your hands in the morning, try to resist. In some cases it could be enough to make your eyes stick together. "There are also chronic conditions like blepharitis (a type of inflammation), dry eye, and allergic conjunctivitis that can also cause sleep crust. In that case, you should see an ophthalmologist," according to Pettey. "If the discharge is yellow or green, that can be a sign of bacterial conjunctivitis (a common form of pink eye). During the day, all of that stuff is washed away by blinking natural tears, which keep it from sticking around. 'It's a natural part of healthy eye function. It should be white or light cream color-which is normal." What If You Have a Lot of it or it's a Different Color? 'Sleep crust is a mix of mucus, exfoliated skin cells, oils, and tears produced or shed by the eye during sleep,' said Pettey. Sticky eyes occur when too much mucus or discharge from the eyes builds up on the eyelid and lashes, causing a crusty or sticky feeling. But during allergy season, or when your eyes are dry, you may get a little more. Some people may have so little material they may not even notice it's there. "A healthy, functioning eye will produce the mucus, salts, and oils that cause it to form, though it can show up in different amounts in different people. "Pretty much everyone wakes up with sleep crust," Pettey said. But when you're asleep, gravity, and the fact that you are not blinking, makes it collect in the corners of the eyes." Does Everyone Wake Up this Way? "It's a natural part of healthy eye function. "Sleep crust is a mix of mucus, exfoliated skin cells, oils, and tears produced or shed by the eye during sleep," said Pettey. "It's all part of a good night's sleep" So What Exactly is This Stuff and Where Does it Come From? "The medical term is 'rheum,' though you rarely hear it used," said Jeff Pettey, MD, ophthalmologist with Moran Eye Center. Sleep in your eyes, sleep crust, sand, eye gunk-whatever you call it, we all get it-that crusty stuff in the corners of your eyes when you wake up in the morning.
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