Written By: Bhavyajyoti Chilukoti | Updated : March 7, 2017 9:49 AM IST
I am a 30-year-old female. From the past two days, I am suffering from sticky eyes. It is usually seen when I get up in the morning. Does it indicate any eye problem? What are the causes of it? Should I consult an ophthalmologist? Please help, I am very worried.
The query is answered by Dr Kamal B Kapur, Ophthalmologist, Sharp Sight Centre, New Delhi.
Our eyes discharge yellowish, sticky substance, which is a harmless substance produced by the eyes. It is a part of the body s natural defense system that makes the eyes feel glued up. There are many different reasons why your eye produces a discharge. Although most causes are harmless, some can be the result of an underlying eye condition. The most common occurrence is waking up with discharge in the corners of your eyes, which is known as eye gunk. Here's more on why do we get sleep dust or eye mucus.
However, there are two main causes of sticky eyes. The common one includes having an extremely oily skin. This is because, if you have an excessively oily skin, it triggers the sebaceous glands present on the skin, leading to excessive secretion of oils. And this, causes the eye discharge to accumulate near the eyelids leading to sticky eyes, as you wake up the next day. Another common cause of sticky eyes is when the bacteria tries to invade into the eyes while asleep. However, the immune cells or WBC (white blood cells) protect the bacteria from entering the eyes, which causes the immune cells to produce a thick yellow pus that is sticky in nature. These factors are not a cause for concern as it's a natural mechanism. However, if your eyes are itchy or have become red along with the production of the sticky substance, then you should consult an ophthalmologist to rule out the a bacterial infection or a viral infection. Also read about interesting things your eyes reveal about your health.
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