What causes crusty eyes in the morning?

The medical name for the morning “dream” or crust on the eyes is roar, says Ashley Hayden, MDboard-certified eye surgeon and co-founder of GentleDrop. “It consists of common biological material found around the eyes, including mucus, dried tears and sloughed skin cells,” she adds. The reason we don’t accumulate it while we’re awake is because we blink it, and at night this clearing system is not active.

The crust under the eyes can look different for everyone, adds Sonya Kelly, OD, MSoptometrist and eye health expert at EyeBuyDirect – it can be yellow, hard, clear, sticky, or runny and watery.

Excess crust on the eyes can form for several reasons, and can sometimes signal an eye health problem.

Dry weather

If you live in a dry climate or your skin becomes particularly parched in cold weather, this could be causing the buildup of whooping cough, says Dr. Hayden. Chronic dry eyesThe condition, in which the eye is naturally insufficiently lubricated, can also be aggravated by these conditions, Dr. Kelly adds. “This can cause sticky, stringy mucus and discharge residue to form on the surface of the eye,” she says.

blepharitis

“Blepharitis is when the eyelids become inflamed and produce a white-yellow foamy discharge. This often occurs due to clogged sebaceous glands, skin conditions, or mites,” says Dr. Kelly.

Meibomian gland disease (MGD)

MGD is a condition caused by clogged sebaceous glands (also called meibomian glands), or glands that don’t regularly produce the lubrication the eye needs, Dr. Hayden explains. “This occurs due to low-grade inflammation of the sebaceous gland, which results in a thick, sticky discharge instead of the more normal viscous oil,” she adds.

Allergic reactions or infection

Infections such as pink eye or allergic reactions can also cause excessive eye clogging. “This is when someone will notice excessive or abnormal discharge—changes in amount, color, or consistency,” says Dr. Kelly.

Treatment for crusty eyes depends on the cause, but some general advice from experts is:

Try warm compresses: “For mild blepharitis and MGD, there are many effective home remedies,” says Dr. Hayden. “We recommend starting with warm compresses in the morning and before bed to help release the meibomian glands.”

Keep the eye area clean: Using an over-the-counter eyelid scrub or gently cleansing the lash line with baby shampoo can be helpful, adds Dr. Hayden. It is also vital to remove eye makeup in the evening and regularly replace products such as mascara and eyeliner, which may harbor bacteria.

Don’t sleep under a fan: If you sleep with a fan, try to point it away from your face. “Air movement can cause tears to evaporate quickly overnight, leading to symptoms the next day,” says Jovi Boparai, MDophthalmic surgeon and co-founder of CorneaCare. To compensate for room dryness, he recommends sleeping with cool mist humidifier in the room.

Remove contact lenses: If your lenses aren’t meant for sleeping, try taking them out and wash your hands before doing so, says Dr. Kelly.

While we’ve all experienced crusty eyes, it could be a sign of something serious. “If your eyes are stuck shut in the morning and you can’t open them, call your ophthalmologist,” says Dr. Hayden, as this could be a sign of infection.

When you have a cold or sinus problems, it’s normal to notice excess mucus, but “you shouldn’t have red or irritated eyes,” adds Dr. Hayden. “Krusti should not affect your vision either. If your vision changes or your eyes hurt, call your local ophthalmologist or optometrist.”