What should you know about crusty yellow eye discharge?

Yellow or sticky material can collect when tears, mucus and inflammatory cells dry around the eyelids. [Conjunctivitis](/conditions/conjunctivitis/) may cause discharge with redness, watering, gritty discomfort or eyelids sticking together. It can be viral, bacterial or linked to irritation, and the appearance alone cannot identify which type is present.

[Allergic Conjunctivitis](/conditions/allergic-conjunctivitis/) more often causes intense itching and watery discharge, commonly affecting both eyes. A blocked tear duct, eyelid inflammation or a foreign body can also cause crusting. Contact lens use changes the level of concern because infections can affect the cornea.

Wash your hands before and after touching the eye. Gently soften crusts with clean warm water and a fresh clean cloth; do not share towels, pillows or eye cosmetics. Avoid rubbing the eye, and stop contact lenses until symptoms have cleared and a clinician says they are safe to restart.

Do not use another person’s drops or leftover antibiotic treatment. A pharmacist or clinician can advise whether examination or treatment is needed. Keep a note of whether one or both eyes are affected, how quickly discharge returns and whether redness or pain is increasing.

Seek urgent assessment for reduced or blurred vision that does not clear with blinking, significant eye pain, marked light sensitivity, injury, a chemical splash, severe swelling or difficulty opening the eye. Contact a clinician promptly if a contact-lens wearer develops redness, pain or vision change.

Does the discharge pattern fit infection, allergy or eyelid irritation? Should I be tested or treated, and when can I safely use contact lenses or cosmetics again?