Greenish yellow discharge from eye

Eye - Pus or Discharge

Is this your child's symptom?

• Yellow or green discharge (pus) in the eye
• The eyelids are stuck (matted) together with pus after sleep
• After being wiped away, the pus comes back during the day
• Often caused by a bacterial eye infection

Causes of Eye with Pus

• Bacterial Conjunctivitis. This is a bacterial infection of the eye. The main symptom is eyelids stuck together with pus after sleep. Can be present in 1 or both eyes. A few viruses can cause pus in the eyes, but most don't.
• Viral Conjunctivitis. This is a viral infection of the eyes. Main symptom is pinkness of the white parts of the eyes. The eyes are also watery. Most often, there is no pus. Usually on both sides.
• Normal Discharge. A small amount of dried mucus only in the corner of the eye. It may not even be pus. A collection of mucus can be cream colored. Often due to an irritant that got in the eye from dirty hands. Needs no treatment except wiping it away with warm water.
• Blocked Tear Duct. Present in 10% of newborns. Main symptom is a constant watery eye. Tears fill the eye and run down the face. This happens even when not crying. The eye is not red and the eyelid is not swollen. The wet eye may get secondary infections. This will cause the eyelids to become matted with pus.
• Foreign Object in Eye (Serious). Small particles such as sand, dirt or sawdust can be blown into the eyes. The grit often gets stuck under the upper eyelid. If not removed, the eye reacts by producing pus. The main clue is an eye infection that does not respond to antibiotic eyedrops. Older children complain of feeling something in the eye.
• Eyelid Cellulitis (Serious). This is a deep infection of the eyelid and tissues around it. The main symptom is a red, swollen, very tender eyelid. The eye can be swollen shut. Usually only on one side. This can be a problem caused by bacterial conjunctivitis. The eye infection spreads inward. More commonly this is caused by an ethmoid sinus infection. That type occurs without any pus in the eye.

Symptoms of Bacterial Eye Infection

• Yellow or green discharge or pus in the eye
• Dried pus on the eyelids and eyelashes
• The eyelashes are more likely to be stuck together after sleep
• The whites of the eye may or may not be red or pink
• The eyelids are often puffy

When to Call for Eye - Pus or Discharge

Call Doctor or Seek Care Now

• Eyelid is very red or very swollen
• Vision is blurred
• Eye pain or discomfort is more than mild
• Fever over 104° F (40° C)
• Fever in baby less than 12 weeks old. Caution: do NOT give your baby any fever medicine before being seen.
• Your child looks or acts very sick
• You think your child needs to be seen, and the problem is urgent

Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours

• Pus in the eye, but none of the symptoms above. Reason: you may need antibiotic eyedrops to treat it.
• Using antibiotic eye drops more than 3 days and pus is still there

Seattle Children's Urgent Care Locations

If your child’s illness or injury is life-threatening, call 911.

• Bellevue
• Everett
• Federal Way
• Seattle

Care Advice for Pus In the Eye

1. What You Should Know About Bacterial Eye Infections:
   • Bacterial eye infections are common with colds.
   • They respond to home treatment with antibiotic eye drops which need a prescription.
   • They are not harmful to vision.
   • Until you get some antibiotic eye drops, here is some advice that should help.
2. Remove Pus:
   • Remove all the dried and liquid pus from the eyelids. Use warm water and wet cotton balls to do this.
   • Do this whenever pus is seen on the eyelids.
   • Also, remove the pus before the antibiotic eye drops are put in. Reason: they will not work if you don't.
   • The pus can spread infection to others. So, dispose of it carefully.
   • Wash your hands well after any contact with the pus.
3. Antibiotic Eye Drops: How to Use
   • For a cooperative child, gently pull down on the lower lid. Put 1 drop inside the lower lid. Then ask your child to close the eye for 2 minutes. Reason: so the medicine will get into the tissues.
   • For a child who won't open his eye, have him lie down. Put 1 drop over the inner corner of the eye. If your child opens the eye or blinks, the eye drop will flow in. If he doesn't open the eye, the drop will slowly seep into the eye.
4. Contact Lenses:
   • Children who wear contact lenses need to switch to glasses until the infection is gone.
   • Reason: to prevent damage to the cornea.
   • Disinfect the contacts before wearing them again.
   • Discard them if they are disposable.
5. Return to School:
   • Your child can return to school when the pus is a small amount.
   • Antibiotic eye drops should be used for 24 hours before going back.
6. What to Expect:
   • With treatment, the pus discharge should clear up in 3 days.
   • The red eyes may last up to a week.
7. Call Your Doctor If:
   • Eyelid gets red or swollen
   • You think your child needs to be seen
   • Your child becomes worse

And remember, contact your doctor if your child develops any of the 'Call Your Doctor' symptoms.

Disclaimer: this health information is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it.

Last Reviewed: 02/02/2023

Last Revised: 12/30/2022

Copyright 2000-2023. Schmitt Pediatric Guidelines LLC.

Is Green Discharge from Eye Contagious: Causes and Treatment

Overview

Green discharge or mucus in one or both of your eyes is a sign of a bacterial infection. Having green discharge in your eyes requires medical treatment. Some types of infections can cause permanent eye damage if left untreated, so it’s important to visit your doctor if you have this symptom.

The most common cause of green discharge in your eye is a bacterial infection. There are several ways that you can get a bacterial infection in your eyes.

Cold

An eye infection from a cold is more common in children because they don’t always wash their hands regularly or thoroughly. The bacteria from a cold can be passed from objects or another person by touch.

Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye, is a common eye infection among both children and adults. The most common symptoms include:

• discharge or pus that may be green, yellow, white, or clear
• red eyes
• swollen eyes
• eye lashes that are stuck shut with dried pus
• itchy or irritated eyes
• irritation from contact lenses
• watery eyes
• feeling like you have something in your eye

Often, conjunctivitis will clear up on its own. If it doesn’t, you might try:

• seeing your eye doctor, who may prescribe oral or topical antibiotics if the conjunctivitis is caused by bacteria
• discontinuing the use of contact lenses and throwing them away if you think you have an infection
• applying cold compresses
• taking antihistamines

Allergies

In most cases, eye allergies cause clear or white discharge. However, eyes with allergies can sometimes become infected, producing a green discharge instead. Eye allergies may also cause conjunctivitis.

Symptoms of an eye allergy may include:

• red eyes
• itchy or burning eyes
• eyes that become swollen
• white, clear, or green discharge
• watery eyes

Treatment for allergy eyes may include:

• antihistamines
• decongestant drops for your eyes
• artificial tears
• shots for your allergies

Keratitis (corneal ulcers)

The cornea is the clear membrane or tissue that covers the pupil and iris of your eye. Inflammation of the cornea is called keratitis and symptoms include:

• discharge
• redness
• excessive tears
• eye pain
• blurred or decreased vision
• feeling that you have something in your eye
• light sensitivity

Treatment options for keratitis include antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, or antibiotic eye drops, as well as oral medications.

Corneal ulcers are a serious type of keratitis and must be treated by an eye doctor immediately.

Stye

A stye is a painful red bump that looks like a pimple on or under your eyelid that is caused by an infected gland. Symptoms include swollen skin and a sore or itchy eye. A stye usually appears only in one eye.

Treatment for a stye includes:

• antibiotics prescribed by your eye doctor
• warm compresses
• massage of the area around the stye with clean fingers
• surgery if the stye affects vision

Dry eye syndrome

Dry eye syndrome is more common in older adults. It occurs when you’re unable to produce enough tears to lubricate your eyes. Your body either doesn’t make enough tears or the tears are of poor quality. The symptoms are dry-feeling and irritated eyes, and discharge.

Treatment for dry eye syndrome includes:

• artificial teardrops
• prescription eye drops
• blocking tear ducts
• treating any inflammation that may be causing your dry eyes — such as eyelid inflammation, which can be treated with lid hygiene and sometimes antibiotics
• using a humidifier
• frequent blinking
• drinking more water

When children have green eye discharge, it’s typically for the same reasons as adults. The treatment may be slightly different.

• It’s more common for children than adults to have eye discharge from an infection when they have colds.
• A blocked tear duct is common in infants under 1 year old. It will usually clear up on its own with no treatment within their first year.
• Pink eye, or conjunctivitis, is also common in children. It’s treated the same way as it is for adults. This is also the case for most other eye conditions that cause eye discharge in children.
• A baby born with gonorrhea contracted through their mother is usually affected in their eyes.

When you have an eye condition that is causing a green discharge in your eyes, there are some things that you should avoid:

• wearing contacts
• touching your eyes to avoid spreading an infection to others
• wearing eye makeup
• touching your face, or the face or hands of others

See your eye doctor right away if you have green discharge to rule out any serious eye conditions.

Green discharge from the eyes is usually contagious. The following tips may help prevent some eye conditions from getting worse or infecting others:

• Wash your hands any time you touch your eyes or the area near your eyes.
• Wash your washcloth and pillowcases in hot water.
• Don’t share eye makeup with others.
• Don’t wear contact lenses longer than recommended.

Green eye discharge can be a symptom of a variety of eye conditions. While some can be treated at home, others are more serious and require medical attention. Because of this, you should see your eye doctor for a diagnosis if your eyes don’t clear up in a couple of days. If you have pain, redness or blurred vision along with the green discharge, see your doctor right away.

Why is there mucus in the eyes. How to treat eye discharge in a child.

From Aimee Rodrigues; reviewed by Pamela Miller, OD, FAAO, JD, FNAP

Eye discharge is a combination of mucus, fat, skin cells, and other particles that accumulate in the corners of the eyes during sleep. " They may be moist and sticky or dry, depending on

Mucous secretions have a protective function, flushing waste products and potentially dangerous particles from the tear film and the anterior surface of the eye.0003

Throughout the day, the eyes secrete mucus, but the ever-present tear film bathes your eyes with every blink, removing the secretions before they can harden.

When you sleep and do not blink, the discharge accumulates and dries up in the corners of the eyes, and sometimes along the lash line. accompanied by blurry vision, sensitivity to light or eye pain may indicate a serious eye infection or eye disease. Therefore, you should immediately contact an optometrist.

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