Miya Pearson
Sleep in the eyes is a natural process, but it can also be a sign of an eye infection. When we sleep, we don't blink, so excess eye discharge collects in the corners of our eyes. This discharge, or 'sleep', is produced by the eyes to fight off unwanted germs and remove harmful debris from the tear film (surface of the eye). However, if you notice a change in colour, consistency or quantity, it could be a sign of an eye infection such as conjunctivitis.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for eye sleep | The immune system produces extra mucus when it feels threatened by an irritant |
| Cause | Lack of blinking, contact lens use, make-up, toiletries |
| Function | Removes harmful debris from the tear film |
| Appearance | Watery |
| Treatment | Over-the-counter eye drops |
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What You'll Learn
Eye mucus and discharge
However, there are some instances where a build-up of eye mucus and eye discharge can be a sign of something else. For example, contact lens wearers often experience problems with excessive eye mucus because contact lenses limit oxygen flow to the eyes. Without a steady flow of oxygen, eyes struggle to produce natural tears and as a result work on overdrive, very similar to dry eye syndrome.
If you notice a change in colour, consistency or quantity, it could be a sign that your eye discharge is occurring as a result of an infection such as conjunctivitis. Conjunctivitis is a common eye infection that can be caused by allergies or a bacterial or viral infection. This infection makes the whites of the eyes look red and a lot of discharge is produced.
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The immune system's natural defence mechanism
Sleep in the eyes is a harmless substance that is a sign of healthy eyes. It is a natural defence mechanism that fights unwanted germs while we sleep. The substance that builds up in the corner of the eyes is protective and works to remove harmful debris from the tear film (surface of the eye).
The immune system produces extra 'gloop' when it feels threatened by an irritant, which is its natural method of getting rid of it. This is known as 'eye boogers' and is produced all day long but is washed away when we blink.
When the eyes do not produce enough good quality tears, they overcompensate by producing large amounts of mucus (sleep). This can be caused by a lack of oxygen to the eyes, which can be a result of wearing contact lenses. Dry eyes can be very uncomfortable, but over-the-counter eye drops are usually sufficient to address the problem.
A build-up of eye mucus and discharge can sometimes be a sign of an eye infection, such as conjunctivitis, which can be caused by allergies, bacteria or a virus. If you notice a change in colour, consistency or quantity of eye discharge, it could be a sign of infection.
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Germs and irritants
When we sleep, our eyes produce a substance known as 'sleep' or 'eye mucus' that collects in the corners of our eyes. This is a natural defence mechanism to protect our eyes from unwanted germs and irritants.
Our eyes produce this substance to remove harmful debris from the tear film (surface of the eye). It is produced all day long but is washed away when we blink. However, when we sleep, we do not blink, so the substance collects in the corners of our eyes.
The amount of eye mucus produced can vary depending on several factors. One factor is the quality of tears produced by the eyes. When the eyes do not produce enough good quality tears, they compensate by producing more mucus. This can be due to various reasons, such as makeup, toiletries, or contact lens use, which interfere with the eyes' natural flow of moisture. Contact lenses, in particular, limit oxygen flow to the eyes, affecting tear production.
Additionally, the meibomian gland ducts relax during sleep, causing more of the tear film's oily substance to enter the eye, which can also contribute to the amount of eye mucus produced.
While eye mucus is usually harmless and a sign of healthy eyes, a build-up of mucus and eye discharge can sometimes indicate an eye infection, such as conjunctivitis. If you notice a change in colour, consistency, or quantity of eye mucus, it is recommended to seek medical advice to rule out any potential infections.
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Eye infections
Sleep is a natural process that helps to keep your eyes healthy. It is a harmless substance that is produced as a natural defence mechanism to fight unwanted germs while you sleep. It is essentially a build-up of mucus and eye discharge that collects overnight when your eyes are closed for a long period. This build-up is usually washed away when you blink, but it can become more noticeable when you wake up in the morning because you don't blink while you sleep.
Contact lens wearers often experience problems with excessive eye mucus because contact lenses limit oxygen flow to the eyes. This can interfere with the eyes' natural flow of moisture and make it difficult for the eyes to produce natural tears. As a result, the eyes may produce more mucus to compensate for the lack of tears.
If you are experiencing excessive eye mucus or discharge, over-the-counter eye drops can usually address the problem. These can be bought from high-street retailers or opticians. However, if you are concerned about any changes in your eye discharge, it is always best to consult an eye specialist for advice.
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Contact lenses and eye sleep
When we sleep, we don't blink, so the mucus that our eyes produce to protect against irritants and germs builds up in the corners of our eyes. This is completely normal and is a sign of healthy eyes. However, contact lens wearers may experience problems with excessive eye mucus, as contact lenses limit oxygen flow to the eyes, which can make it difficult for the eyes to produce natural tears. This can lead to dry eye syndrome. If you wear contact lenses, it is important to remove them before sleeping to allow your eyes to breathe and produce the necessary tears to keep them moisturised and healthy.
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Frequently asked questions
Your eyes produce mucus when they are not producing enough good quality tears. This can be caused by a lack of oxygen to the eyes, often due to contact lens use.
Your immune system produces extra mucus when it feels threatened by an irritant. This is its natural method of getting rid of harmful debris from the tear film (surface of the eye).
Yes, most of the time eye mucus is normal and a natural process. It is a sign of healthy eyes because it is produced as a natural defence mechanism to fight unwanted germs as we sleep.
When you're awake, you blink away any excess eye mucus, but it collects overnight when your eyes are closed for a long period.
Yes, if you notice a change in colour, consistency or quantity, it could be a sign of an eye infection such as conjunctivitis.
