Eye infection with green discharge: what to know

Discharge becomes green when mucus, tears, inflammatory cells, and germs collect on the eye surface. Conjunctivitis can affect one or both eyes and may cause redness, gritty discomfort, watering, swollen lids, or crusting after sleep. The colour alone cannot identify whether the cause is bacterial, viral, allergic, or irritation from something in the eye. Allergic conjunctivitis more often causes itching and clear or stringy discharge, while infection may produce thicker material. See the related guide to Eye Discharge for broader causes and patterns.

Wash your hands before and after touching the eye. Wipe discharge away with clean cotton or a fresh damp cloth, moving from the inner corner outward, then discard or wash it. Do not share towels, pillows, cosmetics, or eye drops. Avoid contact lenses until the eye is comfortable and a clinician says they are safe to use; discard disposable lenses and their case if advised. Do not use leftover antibiotics or someone else’s drops, because the wrong treatment can irritate the eye or delay care.

Arrange medical advice promptly if discharge is thick or persistent, the eyelids stick together repeatedly, or symptoms are not settling. Seek urgent care for significant eye pain, blurred or reduced vision, marked light sensitivity, swelling around the eye, an injury, or a chemical splash. Contact-lens wearers with pain, redness, or vision change need urgent eye assessment because corneal problems can progress quickly.

Ask whether the appearance fits conjunctivitis, whether both eyes are involved, and whether you need an examination or swab. Mention contact-lens use, recent illness, allergies, injury, medicines, and how quickly the discharge appeared. Ask when you can return to lenses, school, work, or close contact.