What Causes Goopy Eyes and How to Treat Them

Goopy eyes (eye mucus) can be caused by allergies, eye infections, or other issues. The eye discharge can be clear, white, yellow, or green, depending on the cause. While it is normal to have a little "gunk" or eye discharge in the morning, some causes of eye discharge are more serious and may need medical care.

This article covers some of the most common causes of eye discharge and what they look like. It also discusses other related symptoms, as well as the common ways to treat these conditions.

Causes of Eye Goop

Eye mucus is normal and needed for eye health. It's made in the clear tissue that protects the eyeball and eyelids (eye conjunctiva) along with oil from the meibomian glands along the eyelash edge.

Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis causes goopy eyes that are very red or bloodshot (why it’s also called “pink” eye). Conjunctivitis can cause other symptoms, like eye burning and itching.

A pink eye infection can be caused by bacteria or viruses. Depending on the germ, the eye discharge from a pink eye infection can be white, yellow, or even green.

Children and adults can get conjunctivitis. A pink eye infection that's caused by a virus often comes with common cold symptoms. Pink eye can also be caused by herpes simplex infections.

While many cases of pink eye are mild and go away on their own, some need medical care. At-home treatment for pink eye usually includes a warm compress to reduce redness and swelling. 

Even if the symptoms are mild, pink eye is very contagious. Avoid touching your eyes and practice frequent hand washing to avoid spreading the infection to others.

If your symptoms do not clear up in a few days, you will need to see a provider for treatment. They can figure out the underlying cause of conjunctivitis and recommend the right treatment, such as medicated eye drops, to clear up the infection. 

Keratitis

Keratitis happens when the clear covering of the iris and pupil (cornea) gets swollen and inflamed. It can make the eye red and sore and may affect vision.

You can get keratitis from a non-infectious cause, like wearing your contacts too long, or from an infection with bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites. 

Depending on the cause, you may need medication (like antibiotic drops) to treat keratitis. 

Trachoma

When chlamydia, a sexually transmitted infection (STI) gets into the eye, it’s sometimes called trachoma.

A severe infection can cause scarring and blindness, but since chlamydia is caused by bacteria, it can usually be treated with antibiotics as long as it is diagnosed early.

Allergies

Eye allergies (allergic conjunctivitis) can cause a clear or white eye discharge. 

Other common symptoms of eye allergies include:

• Eye redness
• Itchy eyes
• Burning eyes
• Other symptoms consistent with hay fever or pollen allergies

Treatment with over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamines, nasal sprays, eye drops, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) will often clear up eye allergy symptoms. In some cases, prescription eyedrops and a corticosteroid are needed to manage symptoms. 

Blocked Tear Ducts

Goopy eyes can also happen if you get blocked tear ducts. Anyone of any age can get blocked tear ducts, but they are most common in babies. An infant’s tear ducts are small and more prone to getting blocked, sometimes by a small piece of tissue. 

Infants can also have closed or undeveloped corners of the eyes that keep tears from draining. This typically gets better as they grow and the ducts open up.

Blocked tear ducts can also happen in older children and adults if the eyes are damaged from a facial injury or blocked by debris from an infection. 

For example, a condition called dacryocystitis is an infection of the eye drainage system which can cause redness and swelling around the eyes or nose. In extreme cases, it also causes fever and pain. Sometimes, a dacryocystorhinostomy is needed to unblock the tear duct drainage system.

Generally, treatment for the infection depends on the cause. For example, antibiotics can be used for an infection, or a dilation procedure can be done to open up a blocked tear duct.

Stye

A stye is an inflamed gland on the edge of your eyelid that comes from an infected eyelash follicle. It’s a fairly common condition that usually causes a bump on the edge of your eyelid, which can be tender and sore.

Styes are caused by bacterial infections that lead to excessive tear production. Some underlying health conditions, including diabetes, make styes more likely.

Most styes can be treated at home by keeping the affected area clean and makeup-free. Warm compresses and light massage can help to relieve symptoms. If necessary, both OTC and prescription medications can treat a stubborn stye.

Eye Cellulitis

Eye cellulitis, also called orbital cellulitis, is a more severe infection of the tissues around the eye.

In some cases, a stye may turn into cellulitis, but it also can also be related to bacterial infections like Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae.

These infections are a more serious cause of eye discharge that can lead to permanent damage.

The treatment will depend on the cause, including cases where trauma to the eye leads to cellulitis and its symptoms which can include:

• Pain, swelling, and red-purple color around the eye, brow, and cheek
• Bulging of the eye
• Blurry vision, and other changes, including blindness
• Fever

Many people with eye cellulitis are treated in the hospital, with intravenous (IV) antibiotics and surgery.

Foreign Objects

It's common for small foreign objects, such as dust or sand, to get into the eye. Typically, you can easily get these things out of your eye by blinking or carefully flushing your eye with clean water.

If you get goopy discharge and you know you have something in your eye you can’t get out, it's important to see a provider. If the object is trapped, it might need to be removed by the provider or if there’s an infection, you might need medical treatment.

Dry Eye Disease

Dry eye disease (keratoconjunctivitis sicca) occurs when the body does not make enough tears. Normal aging, exposure to sun and wind, and some medications and underlying conditions (like lupus) can all contribute to dry eye disease.

Other symptoms of dry eye syndrome include:

• Sense of something stuck in the eye
• Burning sensation in the eyes
• Bloodshot eyes

Artificial tears and prescription medications are used to treat dry eye disease.

Lifestyle changes are also important, including drinking enough water, wearing sunglasses outdoors, and avoiding smoke and other environmental irritants.

How to Prevent Goopy Eyes

You can't always prevent eye goop from forming, and you do want a normal amount of mucus in your eyes to keep them healthy. If you have certain conditions that are causing too much eye goop, seeing a provider to get diagnosed and start treatment will help.

There are also some basic steps you can take to prevent goopy eyes, including:

• Keep your face clean, especially around your eyes
• If you wear makeup, wash it off at the end of the day/before you go to bed
• Take care of your eyes if you wear glasses or contacts (e.g., not falling asleep with your contacts in)
• Using eye drops if needed to help with dryness and stay hydrated
• Do not touch your eyes or rub them (and make sure your hands are clean if you need to touch your eyes)
• Make sure that things that come into contact with your face like washcloths and pillowcases are clean and free from irritants
• Figure out what your allergy triggers are (e.g., dust, pollen) and do your best to avoid them
• Keep your home clean and tidy to cut down on allergens
• Try to limit the time you spend doing activities that could irritate, strain, or damage your eyes like looking at a screen, being in direct sunlight, and being around people who smoke (or smoking yourself)

When to See a Healthcare Provider

Many causes of goopy eye discharge can be treated at home and will get better on their own in a few days. 

However, see a provider immediately if you have severe eye pain or redness, vision changes or blindness, a traumatic injury to the eye that causes symptoms, or symptoms that are not getting better or are getting worse.

Summary

Small amounts of eye discharge are normal and mean your eyes are healthy. Most people have clear, white, or yellowish mucus in the corner of their eyes when they wake up.

If the eye mucus changes color or texture or is excessive, it can be a sign of a serious infection or eye condition. You should see a provider to get diagnosed and find the best treatment.