Eye Discharge

Every eye produces a small amount of mucus that gathers in the corner overnight and wipes away easily. It becomes a symptom when the volume changes, when it keeps returning through the day, or when its colour and consistency change.

The character of the discharge is one of the most useful clues an eye doctor has. Watery discharge points to a virus or an allergy; thick yellow or green points to bacteria; stringy white ropes point to allergy or a very dry surface; and crusting welded to the lash bases points at the eyelids rather than the eye itself.

• Lids gummed shut in the morning
• Yellow or green discharge that keeps coming back during the day
• Stringy or ropy white mucus you can pull away
• Watery discharge with a gritty, red eye
• Crusting and flakes along the lash line

Conjunctivitis is the usual answer — viral (watery, often one eye then the other, with a cold), bacterial (thick and sticky) or allergic (stringy, intensely itchy).

Blepharitis produces crusting at the lash bases rather than true discharge. A blocked tear duct causes constant watering and sticky lids, especially in babies. Dry eye paradoxically produces ropy mucus. A stye, a corneal ulcer or a foreign body will all discharge as well, and contact lens wear raises the stakes for all of them.

Bathe the lids with clean warm water and a fresh cotton pad per eye, wash hands often, and stay out of contact lenses and eye makeup until it settles. Viral conjunctivitis clears on its own over one to two weeks; antibiotic drops do nothing for it.

Bacterial conjunctivitis is treated with antibiotic drops or ointment, allergic discharge with antihistamine or mast-cell stabiliser drops, and blepharitis with warm compresses and lid hygiene. A blocked tear duct in an infant is usually managed with massage and time.