What should you know about green yellow discharge from eye?

Thick discharge that makes the eyelids stick together can occur with conjunctivitis. Irritation from dust, smoke, contact lenses or a foreign body may also cause watering and crusting. Allergic conjunctivitis more often causes itching and watery discharge, although symptoms can overlap.

Discharge colour does not reliably identify the cause or determine whether antibiotic treatment is needed. Pain, light sensitivity, changes in vision and the speed at which redness spreads give more useful clues. One eye may be affected first, with the other becoming involved later.

Wash your hands before and after touching the eye. Gently clean discharge with clean cotton or a fresh damp cloth, wiping from the inner corner outward and using a new piece for each wipe. Do not share towels, pillows, eye makeup or drops, and avoid rubbing the eye.

Stop wearing contact lenses until the eye is fully comfortable and a clinician says it is safe to restart. Do not use someone else’s drops or leftover prescription medicine. A pharmacist or clinician can recommend suitable treatment after considering the appearance, symptoms and contact-lens use.

Get urgent medical help for severe eye pain, reduced or blurred vision, strong sensitivity to light, injury, a chemical splash, swelling around the eye, or a feeling that something is stuck. Contact-lens wearers with pain, marked redness or vision change should be assessed promptly.

Arrange medical advice if discharge is persistent, symptoms are worsening, the eyelids remain sealed, or a baby has a red eye. Tell the clinician whether one or both eyes are affected, when symptoms began, and whether anyone close to you has similar symptoms.

Ask: Does this look like conjunctivitis or another eye problem? Do I need prescription drops? When can I return to contact lenses, school or work? How should I clean the eye? Which changes mean I need urgent review? Mention allergies, recent illness, eye injury and every product used near the eye.