What can cause green discharge from eyes?

Not Medical Advice: A thick green or gray mucus discharge coming from your eyes may represent an eye infection caused by bacteria. This is caused by pus producing (pyogenic) bacteria and can cause symptoms such as redness and irritation.

Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva (the clear mucus membrane that lines the inside of the eyelid and covers the white part of the eye). The inflammation causes small blood vessels in the conjunctiva to darken, resulting in a pink or red tint to the white of the eye. This suggests that the immune system is reacting to a foreign substance, irritation or invading organisms such as bacteria. It may also be associated with a respiratory infection or a cold.

Symptoms include:

• Redness in one or both eyes
• Itchiness in one or both eyes
• Blurred vision and light sensitivity
• Gritty feeling in one or both eyes
• Discharge in one or both eyes that forms a crust at night
• Excessive tearing

Most common triggers of conjunctivitis are:

• Viruses
• Bacteria
• Allergies
• Chemical exposure
• A clogged tear duct (in new-borns)
• A foreign object in the eye

Eye discharge can cause some complications such as:

• Blurry vision
• Spread of infection
• Problems with cornea
• Vision loss
• Dry, itchy eyes
• Inability to open eyelids in the morning
• Red, bloodshot eyes

Someone with conjunctivitis is contagious for 7 - 14 days.

Treatment of conjunctivitis depends on the trigger or the cause. Allergic Conjunctivitis may respond to treatment of the allergy. It will disappear on its own when you avoid your allergy triggers. Cool compress may help soothe this.

Antibiotic medication, usually eye drops, is effective for bacterial conjunctivitis. Viral conjunctivitis may disappear on its own. Warm compresses will soothe the discomfort of viral or bacterial conjunctivitis to your closed eyes. You can use a clean cloth soaked in warm water for this.

Visit your eye doctor for a more effective treatment.

Good hygiene can prevent the spread of conjunctivitis. You can practice the following tips:

• Wash your hands often.
• Change pillowcases frequently.
• Do not share eye cosmetics.
• Do not share towels or handkerchiefs.
• Handle and clean contact lenses properly.
• Keep hands away from the eye.
• Replace eye cosmetics regularly.

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