Discharge from the eyes is a protective reaction of the body. They are different in color, consistency. Mucus in the eyes can be temporary and permanent. Do not ignore this, it is necessary to identify the cause of this phenomenon, and then begin the treatment prescribed by the doctor.
Why does mucus occur?
The causes of mucus in the eyes are various. This is usually associated with:
- with eye diseases;
- allergies to cosmetics, eye creams, food;
- severe strain on the organs of vision.
White mucus in the eyes occurs when dust gets in excess. It accumulates, and during sleep is removed. Mucus in the eyes is uncomfortable, but timely measures will quickly eliminate it.
Probable ailments
By the nature of the mucus in the eyes, eye disease can be determined. If white discharge occurs periodically in the morning, but there are no symptoms of inflammation, then this is the norm. With the regular appearance of mucus and the presence of other complaints, there may be ophthalmic ailments:
- If white mucus is released from the eyes, then this may be a symptom of viral diseases. For example, this happens with viral conjunctivitis. Still white stretching mucus from the eyes is secreted after SARS. Also there is redness of the mucous membrane and sclera, lacrimation, photophobia, edema, symptoms of a cold. With the virus, first one organ is affected, and then another.
- Even mucus in the eyes appears with dry eye syndrome. Dryness, fatigue of the visual organ occurs. Appears after a long hard work at the computer or with small objects.
- Liquid discharge is considered a symptom of an allergy. Both eyes are usually affected. With this phenomenon, severe itching occurs. There is redness of the eyelids, swelling. When the allergen is eliminated, the symptoms subside.
- Liquid transparent discharge occurs from dust, foreign bodies. This is a protective reaction of the body. In this case, foreign particles must be removed mechanically.
- Abundant yellow discharge occurs with inflammation of the lacrimal sac - dacryocystitis. The mucus is thick, plentiful. It intensifies during massaging the affected area.
- The appearance of greenish or yellowish foamy discharge is associated with blepharitis - inflammation of the eyelid. With this ailment, itching, peeling, and swelling of the eyelids occur. Discharges are sticky, occur in the morning, glue eyelashes. Create dense scales, crusts.
- Thick yellow, green discharge is a symptom of inflammation that appears when white blood cells accumulate. It occurs with bacterial conjunctivitis, viral and fungal lesions of the cornea, trachoma, and the opening of barley. Dense crusts are also formed, which are difficult to eliminate. A film appears on the eye that violates the clarity of vision. There are redness, swelling, lacrimation, photophobia. In difficult cases, there is pain in the eyes, headache, high fever.
- Filamentous discharge appears with filamentous keratitis. This ailment appears with decreased function of the lacrimal glands. There is dryness, burning, filiform discharge, redness of the sclera. This causes dystrophic changes in the cornea.
Why does mucus stand out from my eyes and accumulate in a corner? The reason is the anatomical structure of the organ of vision. The corner is slightly deepened in the orbit compared to other structures. Therefore, liquid secretions flow there the easiest. There is an outlet opening of the nasolacrimal canal. With its inflammation, pus comes out in the corner.
In children
Discharge from the eyes in newborns appears with dacryocystitis. The reason is obstruction of the nasolacrimal canal, which is associated with its underdevelopment. In infants there is redness, swelling, yellow discharge. The child becomes moody, rubs his eyelids.
For treatment, a lacrimal sac massage is used, washing with antiseptics, and topical antibiotics. If this is ineffective, the nasolacrimal canal is flushed with a probe.
In babies, discharge from the eyes appears with bacterial and viral damage. In the first case, the mucus will be yellowish, and in the second - whitish. The child usually cries, becomes lethargic, scratches his eyes. Treatment is carried out by washing with antiseptics, locally prescribed antibacterial drugs (with bacterial damage). If there are peels, they are soaked before removal to prevent skin damage.
Having a small amount of white content after sleep is normal. The baby's body protects the eyes from trapped microparticles. Treatment in this case is not required.
Associated symptoms
In addition to the appearance of discharge from the eyes, the presence of other signs is also likely:
- blurred vision;
- burning sensation in the eyes;
- itching in the eyes and eyelids;
- severe drying of the mucous membranes;
- eye pain;
- profuse lacrimation;
- hyperemia of the sclera and skin of the eyelids;
- photophobia.
Sometimes with eye discharge there are symptoms of general malaise, fever, cough, sneezing. There may be pain in the body, rhinitis. Such symptoms are manifested in bacterial and viral infections.
Diagnostics
The doctor takes into account complaints and carries out an examination. The specialist needs to know what discharge appears - white, yellow, green. The consistency, other symptoms are evaluated.
You can check the condition of the fundus using biomicroscopy and ophthalmoscopy. To determine the composition of microflora, you need to take mucosal bacteria. The general condition of the body shows a general blood test.
Therapy
Mucus from the eyes in children and adults is eliminated with a cotton pad. It needs to be moistened in an antiseptic solution (“Furacilin”) and the pus removed in the direction from the outside of the corner to the inside. Each eye is cleaned with a separate disc. This is first aid before going to a specialist.
To treat mucus in the eyes, the doctor may prescribe antibacterial, antiviral, anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, moisturizing drops and ointments. Effective washing with antiseptic solutions (Furacilina, a weak solution of potassium permanganate). In severe cases, glucocorticosteroids are prescribed intravenously.
The doctor prescribes medications based on the reason:
- Drugs with antibacterial action. These are drops "Phloxal", ointment "Tetracycline."
- Antiviral agents - Acyclovir ointment, Ophthalmoferon drops.
- Medicines with anti-allergic properties - drops "Allergodil".
- Anti-inflammatory drugs - drops "Indokollir".
- Moisturizing with a regenerating effect - Vizin drops.
- Glucocorticosteroids - Prednisolone.
With dacryocystitis, a lacrimal sac massage is effective. With it, the outflow of stagnant pus improves. Sometimes you need to enter a probe to remove pus and rinse the lacrimal sac. The frequency of administration and duration of treatment is prescribed by an ophthalmologist after examination.
Complications and prognosis
The outlook is positive. Timely treatment allows you to give a quick result. The effect is noticeable after a few days. If the therapy is chosen incorrectly or treatment is not performed, then this leads to complications.
Eye discharge worsens visual acuity, promotes the penetration of infection into the deep structures of the eyes. The negative consequence is cataracts, blindness. The most serious complication is panophthalmitis. This is a severe inflammation of the eye. With it, removal of the visual organ may be required.
Eye protection
Although it is necessary to obtain a “vitamin of sunlight” for health, ultraviolet light can lead to various eye diseases. Cataracts often appear in older people. Therefore, on the street, it is important to protect your eyes from harmful UV rays with a wide-brimmed hat or sunglasses that cut off harmful ultraviolet light. With glaucoma associated with an increase in pressure in the eyeball, dark glasses cannot be worn.
When working with carpentry tools, goggles must be worn. Do not ignore this rule, since when it is not observed, various eye problems occur.
When playing sports (basketball, baseball, tennis, hockey) you need safety glasses.
Eye problems occur when the air conditioner is operating. Low humidity causes dryness. You need to use special drops that moisturize the eyes. You can also place a humidifier.
Prevention
Preventive measures must be taken. Then there will be no suppuration in the eyes:
- You should lead a healthy lifestyle: eat right, provide a good sleep.
- It is necessary to properly care for the lenses, follow the recommendations for their use.
- Be sure to wash your face in the morning and evening.
- Before going to bed, it is important to remove makeup.
- Cosmetics, hygiene products should be individual.
- A protective mask (glasses) should be used in production.
- Perform regular gymnastics for the eyes.
Preventive measures are very simple. They must be observed so that unpleasant discharge does not occur again. And if the mucus still appears, then you need to use effective means to eliminate it.