Would you like to switch to the accessible version of this site?

Go to accessible site Close modal window

Don't need the accessible version of this site?

Hide the accessibility button Close modal window
Accessibility View Close toolbar

UNIVERSITY

DAVIDSON

ROCKY RIVER

University Eye Associates
Menu
  • Home
  • Locations
    • University Location
    • Davidson Location
    • Rocky River Location
  • Patient Center
    • New Patient Forms
    • Insurance
    • Payments
    • Office Policies/ Consent To Treat
    • Patient Portal
    • Medical Records Release
  • Our Doctors
    • Dr. Steven Eyler
    • Dr. Kenneth Best
    • Dr. Maggie Metwalli
    • Dr. Robert Hamp
    • Dr. Kalene Fix
    • Dr. Stephen “Myles” Eckel
    • Dr. Claire Schmidt
    • Dr. Nicole Rist
  • Conditions Treated
    • Cataract
    • Dry Eye
      • Dry Eye Facts
    • Common Eye Injuries
    • Computer Vision
    • Lazy Eye
    • Low Vision
    • Pink Eye
    • Macular Degeneration
  • Services
    • Vision and Eye Health Exams
      • Pediatric Eye Exams
    • Contact Lens Exams
    • Keratoconus
    • Urgent Eye Care Services
      • Urgent Eye Care FAQs
    • Children's Vision
    • Sports Vision
    • Lasik Eye Surgery
    • Eye Surgeries
    • Lipiflow Dry Eye Treatment
  • EyeWear
    • Frame Selection
    • Choosing Your Frame
    • Order Contacts Online
    • Sunglasses
    • Sunglasses FAQ
  • Blog
  • Community Content
    • Eyeglasses
    • Basic Visual Skills
    • All About Eyes
    • Protecting Your Eyes
    • Visual Rehabilitation
    • Pediatric Vision Issues
    • Glasses
    • Contact Lenses
    • Common Eye Conditions
      • Vision Impairment
      • Eye Lids
      • Age-Related
      • Injury & Irritation
      • Changes in Appearance
      • Cognitive and Acquired
    • Vision Problems
    • Eye Symptoms
    • Eye Diseases
    • A Child's Vision
    • What is Vision Therapy
    • Vision Therapy Programs
    • We Can Help With
      • Cataracts
      • Corneal Disorders
        • Disorders
      • Glaucoma
      • Refractive Disorders
      • Adult Strabismus
      • Retinal Disorders
    • Newsletters
      • Glasses & Frames
      • Contacts
      • Tips for Healthy Eyes
      • Conditions That Affect Vision
      • Kid's Vision
      • Amazing, Interesting Eyes
      • Medical Perspectives
  • Home >
  • Articles >
  • Eye Symptoms >
  • Sleep in the Eyes (Eye Discharge)

Sleep in the Eyes (Eye Discharge)

  • Created in Eye Symptoms
Image of an elderly woman rubbing her eyes.

Sometimes referred to as "sleep" or eye matter, eye discharge that appears in normal consistency upon waking is a typical part of your body's defense mechanisms, protecting your eyes from bacteria or other irritants. Eye discharge that appears in abnormal consistency, color, or quantities might be a sign of a more serious condition and should be brought to the attention of an eye care profession right away.

Causes of Abnormal Eye Discharge

Abnormal eye discharge usually indicates an underlying condition -- sometimes bacterial, viral, or allergy related. One of the most common causes of abnormal eye discharge is conjunctivitis (pink eye), which refers to the inflammation of the conjunctiva (the lining of the underside of the eyelid and white of the eye). Conjunctivitis occurs due to contagious bacterial and viral infections as well as allergies. In addition, conditions such as ocular herpes, Acanthamoeba keratitis, blepharitis, and styes also lead to excessive or abnormal eye discharge.

Some issues which are not infectious can lead to abnormal eye discharge as well. These include chronic dry eyes, a blocked tear duct, sensitivity to contact lenses, an eye injury, and a corneal ulcer.

Abnormal Eye Discharge Symptoms

Symptoms of abnormal eye discharge include discharge which might be thicker, gooier, or more excessive than normal. Abnormal eye discharge might also be a different color than normal such as green, yellow, or even grey. In addition to these variances, one might notice the following symptoms:

  • dry eyes
  • watery eyes
  • itchy eyes
  • eye pain
  • double or blurred vision
  • red eyes
  • light sensitivity (photophobia)
  • swollen eyelids

If a bacterial or viral infection is present, symptoms such as body aches, chills, fever, sneezing, and/or coughing might accompany the above-mentioned eye symptoms.

A change in normal eye discharge alone or accompanied by any of these symptoms should be brought to an eye care professional’s attention, as it is usually the sign of a more serious underlying problem.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Eye care professionals diagnose the cause of abnormal eye discharge by looking at the patient's medical history and performing an eye exam. If a corneal ulcer is present, the eye care professional will likely test a sample to determine whether or not an infection is present.

Treatment for abnormal eye discharge depends on the diagnosis of the underlying cause, and might include oral antibiotics, antibiotic eye drops, antihistamines, or antihistamine eye drops. To alleviate symptoms at home, eye care professionals often recommend using a warm, wet compress.

  • Eyeglasses
  • Basic Visual Skills
  • All About Eyes
  • Protecting Your Eyes
  • Visual Rehabilitation
  • Pediatric Vision Issues
  • Glasses
  • Contact Lenses
  • Common Eye Conditions
    • Vision Impairment
    • Eye Lids
    • Age-Related
    • Injury & Irritation
    • Changes in Appearance
    • Cognitive and Acquired
  • Vision Problems
  • Eye Symptoms
  • Eye Diseases
  • A Child's Vision
  • What is Vision Therapy
  • Vision Therapy Programs
  • We Can Help With
    • Cataracts
    • Corneal Disorders
      • Disorders
    • Glaucoma
    • Refractive Disorders
    • Adult Strabismus
    • Retinal Disorders
  • Newsletters
    • Glasses & Frames
    • Contacts
    • Tips for Healthy Eyes
    • Conditions That Affect Vision
    • Kid's Vision
    • Amazing, Interesting Eyes
    • Medical Perspectives

Office Hours

Our Regular Schedule

Monday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Tuesday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Wednesday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Thursday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Friday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed

Locations

Find us on the map

UNIVERSITY

DAVIDSON

ROCKY RIVER

Request Appointment
Request Appointment
Request Appointment
Call 704-547-1551
Call 704-896-9090
Call 704-536-6042
Email Us
Email Us
Email Us

  • Copyright © 2021 MH Sub I, LLC dba iMatrix.
  • Admin Log In
  • Site Map