Herbie Murray
Waking up with crusty eyes is a common occurrence, often referred to as sleep, eye sleep, sleep crust, rheum, or eye gunk. This crusty material found in the corners of the eyes is a combination of mucus, tears, skin cells, and environmental debris that the eye routinely clears away as part of its natural self-cleaning process. While it is generally harmless, underlying problems such as infections or allergies may be present, and it is important to practice good eye hygiene to minimize or prevent the buildup of eye crust.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Official term | Rheum |
| Consistency | Varies depending on how much has evaporated overnight and what is in it |
| Colour | Varies depending on what is in it |
| Cause | A combination of eye debris and hardened tear film which falls into the eye’s inner corner and then dries up overnight, forming the crust |
| Prevention | Wash face before bed, gently cleanse eye area with a clean, cool washcloth, remove eye makeup, avoid touching and rubbing eyes, wash hands before touching eyes, remove contact lenses before lying down, use eye drops to lubricate and hydrate eyes |
| Treatment | Wash hands, use a warm flannel or compress, gently wipe to remove eye sleep |
| Underlying issues | Corneal ulcer, dry eye, conjunctivitis, blepharitis, stye, keratitis, blocked tear duct, eye trauma, severe infection, allergies, inflammation, increased tear production |
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What You'll Learn
- Sleep crust, or rheum, is a combination of mucus, tears, and skin cells
- It is a natural part of your eyes' self-cleaning system
- Excessive discharge could be a sign of infection or allergies
- Practising good eyelid hygiene can help prevent a buildup of eye crust
- If you experience additional symptoms, you may need to seek medical advice
Sleep crust, or rheum, is a combination of mucus, tears, and skin cells
The tear film in your eyes has three components that work together to keep your eyes hydrated and remove harmful debris and bacteria. The first is the glycocalyx layer, a layer of mucus that coats the cornea and attracts water. This allows for the even distribution of the second layer, the water-based tear solution. The third layer is oily and produced by the meibomian glands.
The consistency and colour of rheum can vary depending on how much of it has evaporated overnight and its specific composition. For instance, if you have a stye, you may notice a crustier eye in the morning with a yellowish mucus buildup in the corners of your eyes. Similarly, if you have blepharitis, you may experience crusty discharge from your eyes, along with red, swollen, and itchy eyelids. Conjunctivitis, or pink eye, can also cause a crusty residue, which may be white, yellow, or green, depending on the type of infection.
If you notice a significant change in your eye sleep, such as an increase in discharge, a change in colour, or a different consistency, it is important to get it checked by an eye doctor.
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It is a natural part of your eyes' self-cleaning system
Waking up with "sleep" in your eyes, or "eye sleep", is a natural part of your eyes' self-cleaning system. This substance, also known as rheum, is a combination of mucus, tears, old skin cells, and environmental debris that the eye routinely clears away. While you are awake, blinking helps to wash away this waste, but since blinking stops during sleep, the waste can collect in the corners of your eyes, forming a crust or gunk.
The eye's tear film has three components that work together to maintain the perfect level of hydration. The first is the glycocalyx layer, a mucus layer that coats the cornea and attracts water. This allows for the even distribution of the second layer, a water-based tear solution. The third layer is an oily substance produced by the meibomian glands, which helps to prevent the evaporation of the water-based layer.
During sleep, the meibomian gland ducts relax, causing more of the oily substance to enter the eye, which can contribute to the formation of eye sleep. Additionally, the lack of blinking during sleep allows the tear film to evaporate, resulting in a crusty residue. The amount of eye sleep can vary depending on how much of the tear film has evaporated and the specific composition of the rheum.
While eye sleep is generally harmless, it is important to maintain proper eye hygiene to prevent the spread of infection. It is recommended to wash your hands before and after touching your eyes and to use a warm washcloth to gently remove any crust or gunk upon waking. Practicing good eyelid hygiene, such as washing your face and gently cleansing the eye area before bed, can also help minimize the buildup of eye sleep.
If you notice a significant change in the amount, colour, or consistency of eye sleep, it is advisable to consult an eye doctor as it could indicate an underlying issue such as an infection or condition like conjunctivitis or blepharitis.
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Excessive discharge could be a sign of infection or allergies
Eye discharge, or "eye sleep", is a combination of mucus, tears, and skin cells that form a crusty residue in the corners of your eyes while you sleep. This is a natural part of your eyes' self-cleaning system, and the official term for this discharge is "rheum". While rheum is generally harmless, excessive discharge could be a sign of infection or allergies.
Excessive eye discharge may be a sign of an eye infection, such as conjunctivitis, which can be viral, bacterial, or allergenic. Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the sclera, the thin membrane that lines part of your eye, and is characterised by thick eye discharge that collects along the lash lines while you sleep. Bacterial conjunctivitis may be indicated by a thick green or grey mucus discharge, while a yellow mucus discharge with a small lump on the eyelid could be a stye, an infection of the eyelid glands. Other infections that can cause excessive eye discharge include keratitis, an inflammation of the cornea, and blepharitis, an inflammation of the eyelids.
In addition to infections, excessive eye discharge can also be a sign of allergies. Allergic conjunctivitis, for example, can cause a stringy, white mucus discharge as the glands in your eye produce material in response to allergens. This type of discharge tends to collect inside the eye or under the lower eyelid. If you have allergies, you may notice extra eye crust during certain times of the year when allergens are more prevalent.
While eye discharge is typically harmless, it is important to be vigilant about any changes in colour, consistency, or quantity, as these could indicate an underlying issue. If you notice any unusual symptoms, it is recommended to consult an eye care specialist for further evaluation and guidance.
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Practising good eyelid hygiene can help prevent a buildup of eye crust
The crusty material found in the corner of your eyes after sleep, also known as sleep crust, eye gunk, or rheum, is generally harmless and results from the eye's normal protective process. Throughout the day, the eye's tear film keeps the eye hydrated and removes harmful debris and bacteria. However, during sleep, the eye remains closed for an extended period, allowing this waste to build up and form a crust.
- Wash your face before bed and gently cleanse your eye area with a clean, cool washcloth. Avoid using soap or cleanser directly on your eyelids.
- Thoroughly remove eye makeup before going to bed. Consider using an eye makeup remover, cotton pads, or makeup removal wipes specifically designed for the delicate eye area.
- Avoid touching or rubbing your eyes throughout the day. If you need to touch your eyes, be sure to wash your hands first.
- If you wear contact lenses, be sure to remove them before going to sleep. Always clean your hands before handling your contact lenses and replace them as recommended by the manufacturer.
- Avoid extending the life of your contact lenses beyond the recommended duration.
- If you experience eye crusting due to allergies, avoiding allergens can help improve the condition.
By following these eyelid hygiene practices, you can help minimize the buildup of eye crust and maintain the health and comfort of your eyes. Remember, while eye crust upon waking is generally normal and harmless, if you notice any changes in colour, consistency, or quantity, it is advisable to consult an eye doctor to rule out any underlying infections or conditions.
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If you experience additional symptoms, you may need to seek medical advice
Eye sleep, or rheum, is a common occurrence and is generally harmless. It is a combination of mucus, tears, and skin cells that form a crusty film in the corners of your eyelids when you wake up. However, if you experience certain additional symptoms, it may be a sign of an underlying issue, and you should consider seeking medical advice.
Firstly, if you notice a significant change in your eye sleep, such as an increase in the amount of discharge, a change in colour, or a noticeable change in consistency, this could indicate an infection or another eye condition. For example, conjunctivitis, a common eye infection, can cause thick eye discharge that varies in colour and consistency. If you have had eye surgery and experience a large amount of discharge, you should contact your ophthalmologist for advice.
Secondly, if you experience symptoms such as irritation, redness, or a filmy layer around your eyes along with the eye sleep, this could be a sign of an eye infection or inflammation. Blepharitis, or eyelid inflammation, can cause extra crusty discharge from your eyes. If left untreated, eye infections can lead to more serious complications.
Thirdly, if the mucus in your eye sleep is very thick, green, or dark yellow, or if it is accompanied by pain or redness in the eyes, it is important to seek medical advice. These could be indicators of a more severe eye infection that requires prompt treatment.
Finally, if you wear contact lenses, it is important to practice good hygiene to avoid eye infections. Remove your contact lenses before sleeping and follow the manufacturer's recommendations for replacement. If you notice an increase in eye sleep or other symptoms, such as irritation or redness, speak to an eye healthcare professional to rule out any contact lens-related issues.
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Frequently asked questions
Sleep in your eyes, or eye gunk, is a combination of mucus, tears, old skin cells, and environmental debris that your eye routinely clears away. It is also known as rheum and is a natural part of your eyes' self-cleaning system.
When you are awake, you blink away any excess eye discharge. However, when you sleep, you don't blink, and the discharge collects overnight.
Yes, it is generally harmless and completely normal. However, if you notice a change in colour, consistency, or quantity, it could indicate an underlying problem.
Abnormal eye discharge can be caused by several factors, including infection, allergies, dry eyes, or other issues. For example, conjunctivitis, blepharitis, and styes can all cause abnormal eye discharge.
To safely remove eye discharge, wash your hands and use a warm, damp washcloth to gently wipe your eyes. Practising good eye hygiene habits, such as washing your face before bed and removing eye makeup, can also help prevent the buildup of eye discharge.
