Your morning eyes tell you a lot and according to an expert there are a few colours you want to look out for that could reveal health issues
You’ve woken up in the morning only to rub your eyes and feel ‘sleep’. Others might call it ‘eye gunk’, ‘eye boogers’ or just ‘crust’ – but whatever you call it – there’s a certain colour that may indicate it’s a little more than just that.
While often harmless, the colour, texture and amount of this morning build-up can sometimes reveal surprising clues about your health. Because of this, Neil Laird, Specialist Optometrist from Pure Optical, has said if your ‘gunk’ is anything other than white, you will need to (pardon the pun) keep an eye on it.
“Eye discharge is a normal part of the body’s cleaning process,” says Laird. “It’s your eyes’ way of flushing out debris, oils, and dead cells while you sleep, but if it suddenly changes in appearance or comes with other symptoms, it could be a sign that something more serious is going on.”
Clear, cream, or white (small amount): Usually normal
This type of discharge is a natural mix of oils, mucus and skin cells that your eyes produce overnight to help clear out debris. The colour may shift slightly depending on factors such as eye dryness, allergies, or the use of oil-based skincare before bed.
However, if you notice that the amount suddenly increases or it appears alongside pain, swelling, or changes in your vision, it’s best to get it checked by an optometrist.
White (but lots of it): Possible viral or herpes infection
A large amount of white discharge combined with redness or swelling may point to viral conjunctivitis or, in some cases, ocular herpes. Viral conjunctivitis often clears on its own, although soothing eye drops may be needed to relieve discomfort. Ocular herpes, on the other hand, requires urgent treatment to prevent long-term potential damage to the cornea.
Green or grey: Likely bacterial infection
While make-up residue can occasionally cause green or grey discharge, the presence of itchiness, redness and blurred vision alongside this colour sleep usually suggests a bacterial infection or bacterial conjunctivitis (also known as ‘pink eye’), which will need a dose of antibiotics to go away.
Yellow: Infection or blocked tear duct
Yellow discharge can also be a sign of infection, but it may point to other conditions such as a stye, which is a painful red lump on the lash line that sometimes oozes thick yellow fluid. Another possibility is a blocked tear duct, which causes swelling in the inner corner of the eye along with discharge.
In more severe cases, dacryocystitis, an infection of the tear duct due to a build-up of stagnant fluid, can produce watery mucus with small yellow lumps from the inner corner of the eye. The glands in the eye are delicate and can easily become clogged by the wrong products like creams or makeup, so it’s crucial you clean your eyes thoroughly after wearing makeup and use only eye-safe products that are not too heavy or oily.
Red or pink discharge: Minor irritation or possible damage
Red or pink discharge is often the result of minor irritation, which may be caused by dryness or slight bleeding inside the eye. While this can be harmless, if it happens regularly it could indicate damage to the eye surface or surrounding tissues, in which case a prompt visit to an optometrist is recommended.
To keep your eyes in top condition and avoid problems, Laird has shared his expert tips for healthy vision. He urges people to “remove makeup thoroughly before bed to prevent pigment and bacteria from irritating the eye.”
As well as this, the guru notes you should always “wash your hands before touching your eyes or applying contact lenses” and never “share towels, pillows, or make-up, as they can spread infection.”
If you are worried, you should always seek medical advice promptly especially if you notice a sudden change in discharge, redness, pain or vision.
“Eye health often gets overlooked until something goes wrong,” Laird concludes. “But small changes can be your body’s way of raising a red flag. The earlier you act, the easier it is to protect your vision and prevent lasting damage.”
“Your eyes are a great early warning system for your overall health,” says Laird. “By paying attention to subtle changes, you can catch infections or eye conditions early before they become more serious.”