Eye discharge is secretion (release) of mucus, pus or excessive tears from your eyes.
It's normal to find some crusty eye discharge along your lashes and in the corner of your eye when you wake up. This is also called eye gunk, crust or sleep.
Eye discharge is not usually a cause for concern. However, there can be other causes of eye discharge.
When you are awake, you blink regularly. Blinking keeps your eyes moist with tears and washes away any debris in your eyes.
When you are asleep you don't blink often. So normal eye mucus and other residue collects in the corners of your eyes. Normal eye discharge is usually white or a pale cream colour.
If you have a lot of watery eye discharge you may have viral conjunctivitis (pink eye) or allergic conjunctivitis.
If you have viral conjunctivitis, one or both of your eyes may be red and uncomfortable, with watery or white discharge. You might also have a feeling of having grit or dirt in your eyes.
With allergic conjunctivitis, both your eyes may be itchy and red, with watery discharge and occasional eyelid swelling. This is often combined with sneezing or coughing. Allergic conjunctivitis is caused by an allergic reaction. These symptoms may be seasonal.
In children and adults, sticky, gooey yellow or green discharge and difficulty opening your eyes may be a sign of bacterial conjunctivitis.
In babies, a blocked tear duct can cause constantly watery eyes and sticky, gooey discharge. This occurs because the tears aren't draining normally due to the blockage.
A baby with blocked tear duct and eye discharge.
Your doctor, pharmacist, optometrist or child health nurse will examine your eye and ask questions to find the cause of your eye discharge. Your healthcare provider may also take a swab of the eye discharge.
See your doctor or optometrist if you have any of these symptoms:
Treatment for abnormal eye discharge depends on the cause.
Depending on the cause, your doctor may advise you to use artificial tears (lubricating eye drops) or cold or warm compresses to soothe your eyes.
If your baby has a blocked tear duct, it will usually get better on its own by the time your baby is one year old. Your doctor or early childhood nurse may show you how to massage your baby's eyes gently, to help clear any discharge from the duct.
Viral conjunctivitis usually clears up by itself without the need for prescribed medicines.
Allergic conjunctivitis responds well to antihistamine eye drops, nasal sprays or tablets. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist to help you buy the correct medicine.
Bacterial conjunctivitis may require antibiotic eye drops. You can often buy these from your pharmacist. Alternatively, your doctor can prescribe them for you.
Some kinds of eye discharge (like those caused by sexually transmitted infections) don't respond to over-the-counter eye drops. Talk to your doctor to find out the best treatment.
Both viral and bacterial conjunctivitis are highly contagious (easily spread).
To help stop the spread of infectious conjunctivitis:
Most causes of eye discharge get better on their own without treatment. Although rare, complications can occur, such as:
The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne (Opens in new tab) has more information about conjunctivitis, including when to see a doctor (Opens in new tab).
Children's Health Queensland (Opens in new tab) has more information about blocked tear ducts (Opens in new tab) in young children.
The Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy has information about allergic conjunctivitis and how to treat it (Opens in new tab).
Health translations has resources in many languages about conjunctivitis (Opens in new tab) and how to use eye drops (Opens in new tab).
You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
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Last reviewed: February 2026
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