Waking up with crusty eyes, commonly called “sleep” or “rheum,” is natural, but it often becomes excessive when a person is sick. This increase in eye mattering during a cold or flu occurs because illness disrupts the eye’s normal tear drainage and protective systems. Understanding the difference between normal mattering and infection-related discharge clarifies when home care is appropriate and when medical attention is necessary.
The Natural Process of Eye Mattering
Eye mattering is a byproduct of the eye’s continuous self-cleaning process, necessary for maintaining a healthy ocular surface. This discharge, or rheum, is a combination of mucus, oils, and cellular debris that accumulates overnight. These components combine with discarded skin cells and evaporated tears to form a thin film.
During the day, blinking spreads tears across the eye to wash away this debris, which then drains through the nasolacrimal duct system near the inner corner of the eye. When a person is asleep, blinking stops, allowing the mixture to collect along the lash line. As the liquid portion evaporates overnight, the remaining material dries into the familiar crusty substance found upon waking.
Illness-Related Factors That Increase Discharge
When the body fights an infection, especially an upper respiratory infection, the normal mattering process increases. The most common reason is the sheer volume of mucus produced in the respiratory tract. Since the tear drainage system connects directly to the nasal passage via the nasolacrimal duct, excess mucus from the nose and sinuses can back up or drain into the eye. This results in a discharge that is often clear, thin, and watery, and is typically present in both eyes.
A more concerning cause is a bacterial infection, such as bacterial conjunctivitis (pink eye). This infection is characterized by a thick, opaque discharge that is distinctly yellow or greenish. This pus-like material often causes the eyelashes and eyelids to stick firmly together, making it difficult to open the eyes. Inflammation and congestion in the nasal passages and sinuses can also physically block the tear drainage duct, causing tears and accumulated debris to overflow onto the eye’s surface.
Safe and Effective Home Management
When managing common, non-severe eye mattering associated with a cold, the primary action is to gently soften and remove the dried crust. Applying a clean, warm compress to the closed eyelid for a few minutes helps to loosen the discharge. Ensure the water is comfortably warm, not hot, to protect the delicate skin around the eye.
After the discharge softens, use a clean washcloth or a fresh cotton pad to wipe the eyelid, moving from the inner corner outward. Use a new, clean section of cloth or a new cotton pad for each wipe and avoid using the same material for both eyes to prevent cross-contamination. Wash hands strictly before and after touching the eye area, especially if an infection is suspected. Over-the-counter artificial tears may also be used to provide comfort, as they lubricate the eye’s surface and help soothe the dry, gritty sensation.
Warning Signs Requiring Medical Care
While most mild eye mattering resolves on its own as the underlying illness clears, certain symptoms signal a condition that requires immediate medical attention. Any discharge that is thick, dense, and colored yellow or green, particularly if it causes the eyelids to be matted shut, should be evaluated by a healthcare professional. This presentation is suggestive of a bacterial infection, which often necessitates antibiotic treatment.
Additional red flags include severe or worsening eye pain, a sudden change or blurring of vision, or increased sensitivity to light. Swelling and intense redness localized to the inner corner of the eye, near the nose, especially when accompanied by a fever, can indicate dacryocystitis, an infection of the tear drainage sac. If symptoms fail to improve or worsen after five to seven days of home care, medical consultation is necessary for proper diagnosis and treatment.