What Causes Sleep In Eyes

Have you ever woken up with a bit of grit or crust in the corners of your eyes? That common morning crust is often what people mean when they ask what causes sleep in eyes. This substance, medically known as rheum, is a normal part of your body’s nightly maintenance routine. It’s a mix of mucus, skin cells, oils, and tears that dries out while you’re resting.

While usually harmless, the amount and type of “sleep” can sometimes tell you about your eye health. Let’s look at why it happens and when it might be a sign to pay closer attention.

The production of eye sleep is a continuous process, but we notice it most in the morning because of how our bodies change during rest. When you’re awake, you blink regularly—about 15-20 times per minute. Each blink spreads a fresh layer of tears across the eye’s surface, washing away debris and rheum before it can accumulate and dry.

During sleep, you don’t blink. This allows the normal secretions from your meibomian glands (which produce oils) and goblet cells (which produce mucus) to pool in the inner corner of your eye and along the lash line. The watery part of your tears evaporates, leaving behind a drier, crustier deposit.

The Main Ingredients of Eye Discharge

Eye sleep isn’t just one thing. It’s a combination of several components your eyes produce to stay healthy:

Mucus: Produced by the conjunctiva to trap dust and microbes.
Meibum: An oily substance from the meibomian glands that prevents your tear film from evaporating to fast.
Water: The aqueous layer from the lacrimal glands that makes up most of your tears.
Debris: Dead skin cells, dust, and other tiny particles collected throughout the day.

Normal vs. Abnormal Eye Discharge

It’s important to distinguish between normal “sleep” and discharge that signals a problem. Normal sleep is usually:

Clear, white, or pale yellow.
Slightly crusty or flaky in the morning.
Easy to wipe away with a damp cloth.
Present in small amounts.

You should take note if the discharge becomes:

Excessively thick, green, or yellow.
So abundant it glues your eyelids shut.
Accompanied by pain, redness, blurred vision, or light sensitivity.
Persistent throughout the day.

Common Conditions That Increase Eye Discharge

Several everyday issues can lead to more noticeable eye sleep. These include:

Allergies: Seasonal or environmental allergies cause inflammation, leading to increased mucus production. This discharge is often watery or stringy.
Dry Eyes: Ironically, dry eye syndrome can cause watery, reflex tearing as the eye tries to compensate. This excess fluid can mix with oils and mucus, creating more crust.
Contact Lens Wear: Lenses can irritate the eye and trap debris, leading to more discharge. Poor lens hygiene is a major contributor.
Blepharitis: This is inflammation of the eyelid margins, often related to bacterial overgrowth or skin conditions like rosacea. It causes flaky, dandruff-like debris at the base of your lashes.

Infections and Serious Causes

When bacteria or viruses get involved, the nature of the discharge changes significantly. These conditions often require medical attention.

Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)

This is a classic cause of abnormal eye discharge. The type of discharge helps identify the cause:

Viral Conjunctivitis: Typically produces a watery, clear, or slightly white discharge. It’s often very contagious and may start in one eye and spread to the other.
Bacterial Conjunctivitis: Known for producing a thick, yellow or greenish pus that can crust the eyelids together, especially after sleep. The eye is often red and irritated.
Allergic Conjunctivitis: As mentioned, leads to itchy, watery eyes with stringy mucus.

Blepharitis and Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD)

Blepharitis is a chronic condition where the oil glands at the base of your eyelashes get clogged. MGD is a specific type where the meibomian glands don’t secrete oil properly. Both lead to:

Foamy or bubbly tears.
Gritty sensation in the eyes.
Yellowish, greasy crust along the lash line.
Inflammation and redness.

Blocked Tear Duct

Your tear duct drains tears from your eye into your nose. If it’s blocked, tears can’t drain properly. This leads to:

Constant watery eyes (epiphora).
Recurrent eye infections.
Mucus or pus in the corner of the eye.
Crusting without the typical dryness or itch of allergies.

Daily Habits and Environmental Factors

Your routine and surroundings play a bigger role than you might think in how much eye sleep you produce.

Sleep Deprivation: Lack of sleep can lead to eye irritation and drier eyes, which paradoxically may produce more reflex tearing and crust.
Digital Eye Strain: Staring at screens reduces your blink rate significantly, leading to drier eyes and more concentrated rheum overnight.
Makeup and Skincare Products: Old mascara, eyeliner, or heavy creams near the eyes can introduce bacteria and clog glands.
Air Quality: Dry air from heating or air conditioning, smoke, and pollution can irritate eyes and increase mucus production as a defense mechanism.

How to Manage and Reduce Normal Eye Sleep

For typical, harmless morning crust, good hygiene and simple habits can keep things comfortable and clear.

Your Morning Eye Cleanse Routine

Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
Wet a clean, soft washcloth or cotton pad with warm water. The water should be comfortably warm, not hot.
Gently place the cloth over your closed eye for 30 seconds to soften the crust.
Wipe softly from the inner corner of your eye outward. Use a clean part of the cloth for each wipe and for each eye.
Pat the area dry with a clean towel.

Daily Preventative Steps

Blink Regularly: Make a conscious effort to blink fully and often, especially when using digital devices.
Stay Hydrated: Drinking enough water supports healthy tear production.
Use a Humidifier: Adding moisture to the air in your bedroom can prevent your tears from evaporating to quickly overnight.
Replace Eye Makeup Regularly: Mascara and liquid eyeliner should be replaced every 3 months to prevent bacterial growth.
Remove Makeup Before Bed: Always take the time to gently remove all eye makeup.

When to See a Doctor

While most eye sleep is benign, certain symptoms alongside discharge warrant a visit to an eye care professional. Seek medical advice if you experience:

Discharge that is dark yellow, green, or excessive.
Pain in or around the eye.
Sensitivity to light (photophobia).
Blurred vision that doesn’t clear with blinking.
A feeling that something is stuck in your eye.
Swelling in or around the eyelid.
Redness that is severe or doesn’t improve.
Symptoms that persist for more than a week or get worse.

Treatment for Underlying Conditions

If an infection or condition is causing the problem, a doctor will recommend a specific treatment. Do not use old antibiotic drops or self-medicate.

For Bacterial Infections

An ophthalmologist may prescribe antibiotic eye drops or ointment. It’s crucial to complete the full course even if symptoms improve quickly.

For Chronic Blepharitis or MGD

Treatment is often a long-term management plan involving:

Warm Compresses: Applying heat for 5-10 minutes daily to melt thickened oils in the glands.
Lid Scrubs: Using a gentle, prescribed cleanser on the base of your lashes to remove crust and bacteria.
Omega-3 Supplements: Some studies suggest these can improve the quality of meibomian gland oil.

For Allergies

Over-the-counter or prescription antihistamine or mast-cell stabilizer eye drops can be very effective. Avoiding the allergen is also key.

For Dry Eyes

Artificial tear drops or gels can supplement your natural tears. In some cases, punctal plugs (tiny inserts that block tear drainage) may be recommended to keep natural tears on the eye longer.

Myths About Eye Sleep Debunked

Let’s clear up some common misconceptions about the crust in your eyes.

Myth: More sleep means you slept better. Truth: The amount is more related to your eye’s health and environment than sleep quality.
Myth: It’s pus from a brain leak. Truth: It’s a normal secretion from your eyes themselves, not your brain.
Myth: You should pick it off with your fingernails. Truth: This can scratch your cornea or introduce bacteria. Always use a soft, damp cloth.
Myth: Only people with poor hygiene get it. Truth: Everyone produces it; it’s a normal bodily function.

Special Considerations

Eye Sleep in Babies and Children

Newborns often have more eye discharge due to underdeveloped tear ducts. Gentle massage of the tear duct area (as shown by a pediatrician) can help. However, green or yellow discharge in a baby requires immediate medical attention to rule out infection.

For Contact Lens Wearers

Extra caution is needed. Always wash your hands before handling lenses. Never sleep in lenses unless prescribed for overnight wear. Use fresh solution every time—never “top off” old solution. Consider daily disposable lenses if discharge is a recurring problem.

Long-Term Eye Health Tips

Keeping your eyes healthy overall is the best way to ensure normal, minimal eye sleep.

Get regular comprehensive eye exams.
Eat a diet rich in vitamins A, C, E, and omega-3 fatty acids.
Wear sunglasses with UV protection to shield your eyes from sun damage.
Take breaks using the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
Ensure proper lighting when reading or working to avoid strain.

Understanding what causes sleep in eyes demystifies a common part of human biology. In most cases, it’s simply a sign that your eyes are doing their job of cleaning and protecting themselves overnight. By paying attention to its characteristics and accompanying symptoms, you can easily tell the difference between a normal morning ritual and a signal that it’s time to seek professional care. Simple, consistent eye hygiene is usually all that’s needed to manage it comfortably.

FAQ Section

Is it bad to have sleep in your eyes every morning?
No, it’s completely normal to have a small amount of eye discharge, or “sleep,” every morning. It’s a natural result of your eyes cleaning and lubricating themselves during hours without blinking.

Why do I have so much eye crust when I wake up?
Increased amounts can be due to dry air while sleeping, not blinking overnight, mild allergies, or the beginning of an eye condition like blepharitis. If it’s excessive, changes color, or causes stickiness, it’s good to check with a doctor.

What is the crust in your eyes actually made of?
The crust is made of a combination of mucus (from the conjunctiva), oils (from meibomian glands), water (from tears), and debris like dead skin cells and dust that have been collected and dried during sleep.

Can sleep in the eyes be a sign of an infection?
Yes, if the discharge is thick, green, yellow, or accompanied by redness, pain, or blurred vision, it could be a sign of an infection like bacterial conjunctivitis and should be evaluated by a healthcare provider.

How do you get rid of eye sleep safely?
The safest way is to soften it first with a warm, damp washcloth held gently against your closed eye for half a minute. Then, wipe softly from the inner corner outward. Avoid pulling or using your fingernails.

Does everyone get eye sleep?
Yes, virtually everyone produces some amount of rheum (eye discharge) during sleep. The quantity and consistency can vary from person to person and from day to day based on health and environment factors.