What Causes Crusty Eyes in the Morning?

Do you often wake up with eye gunk and wonder what causes crusty eyes in the morning? 

Although eye discharge is part of the eyes’ normal protection and lubrication processes, chronically irritated or crusty eyes can indicate nutritional deficiencies, allergies, conjunctivitis, or styes.

Discover five potential causes of eye irritation and learn about effective natural remedies to minimize crusty eyes. 

5 causes of crusty eyes in the morning

Sleep crust forms from watery, sticky eye discharge produced by the tear film that covers the surface of your eyes.  

This mucus, also called mucin, has several functions, including protecting the eyes from the environment, assisting in light refraction, and lubricating the ocular surface and eyelids. 

However, excessive eye mucus can indicate allergic reactions, microbial infection, blocked tear ducts, or other underlying eye conditions that may require medical attention.

Here are five potential causes of excessive eye discharge.

1. Allergic reactions

Allergic conjunctivitis occurs when the eyes become irritated by environmental allergens, such as pollen, dust mites, pet dander, or certain types of grass. 

These allergens can trigger the immune system to release histamine, an organic compound that triggers common allergy symptoms, including coughing, sneezing, and crusty, itchy, or watery eyes. 

During an allergic reaction, histamine is released into the blood, causing blood vessels to expand. This can irritate the eyes and lead to excessive discharge production, forming crusts around the eyes' corners.  

Remedies

Antihistamine eye drops and oral medications that inhibit the effects of histamines are conventionally used to relieve symptoms. 

In addition, various natural remedies can help support the immune system, may enhance tolerance to seasonal allergies, and help limit or block the effects of histamine. 

These natural remedies have been found to possess antihistamine effects:

• Grass-fed beef liver and kidney extract

• Stinging nettle root

• Spanish black radish 

• Vitamins C 

• Vitamin D

In addition, silymarin, a compound found in milk thistle, may improve allergy symptoms by protecting against oxidative stress linked to immune-related inflammatory responses.

A study published in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery found that silymarin reduced the severity of allergic rhinitis, characterized by sneezing and nasal congestion often linked to eye discharge. 

Additionally, limiting foods naturally high in histamines, such as alcohol, bread, vinegar, fermented foods, spinach, and chocolate, as well as smoked meats and fish, may also help to manage crusty eyes linked to allergic reactions.

Bee pollen is another natural remedy that can help build tolerance to allergens by exposing the immune system to small amounts of local pollen, which has been found to improve symptoms of seasonal allergies.  

2. Vitamin A deficiency 

Vitamin A, also known as retinol, is a fat-soluble vitamin critical for the maintenance and function of the eye's mucous membranes, which play a crucial role in mucin production and lubrication.

Lack of adequate vitamin A can impair mucin production, resulting in dry and irritated eyes that are prone to discharge and the formation of crusty residues. 

Retinol is also needed to form rhodopsin, a photosensitive pigment in the retina, which is the part of the eye that detects light. 

Rhodopsin, or visual purple, converts light into electrical signals, which explains why a vitamin A deficiency can cause night blindness and blurred vision.

Vitamin A deficiency is often linked to inadequate dietary intake or can develop as a result of poor liver or gallbladder function, intestinal permeability, or other gastrointestinal malabsorption issues. 

Remedies

While hydrating eye drops are conventionally used to treat dry eyes, consuming vitamin A-rich foods can also support ocular lubrication and reduce eye gunk. 

Foods such as egg yolks, beef, beef liver, cod liver oil, grass-fed butter, ghee, and fatty cheeses are excellent sources of bioavailable vitamin A. 

However, those with sluggish gallbladder function may not absorb adequate amounts of vitamin A and may benefit from purified bile salts, which enhance bile production and support the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. 

3. Conjunctivitis 

Conjunctivitis, widely known as pink eye, is a common eye infection that causes redness, itching, discomfort, and abnormal eye discharge that can be white, clear, yellow, or green.

There are two primary types of pink eye: viral conjunctivitis and bacterial conjunctivitis. 

Viral conjunctivitis is highly contagious and is caused by the common cold or herpes simplex virus (HSV). Those with cases of viral pink eye primarily experience yellow mucus that can lead to eyelid crusting and watery discharge. 

Conversely, bacterial conjunctivitis is less common and is typically linked to Staphylococcus or Streptococcus infections, associated with thick, green discharge.

Remedies

Zinc is an essential mineral that strengthens the immune system by enhancing the function of immune cells, which plays a vital role in protecting against microbial conjunctivitis.

“Pink eye is typically caused by the adenovirus, the same virus behind the common cold,” explains Dr. Berg. “Taking zinc during cold season or at the onset of symptoms can help decrease the reproduction of the virus.” 

Colloidal silver eye drops may also help manage eye problems caused by bacterial infections due to the antimicrobial properties of silver nanoparticles. 

4. Eye stye

A stye is an infection of the oil glands in the eyelids, resulting in painful pustules that can develop on the upper or lower lash line. 

Eye styes can cause the eyelid to swell and redden, leading to the secretion of pus and crusting. Blinking or touching the infected area may also result in discomfort and can exacerbate eye irritation and discharge.

Remedies

While most cases of stye resolve without treatment within two weeks, applying a warm compress to the infected eye can help draw out pus and shorten the duration of the infection.

Additionally, supporting strong immune defenses with nutrients such as vitamins A, D, and zinc can help reduce your susceptibility to bacterial infections linked to the development of stye.

Cod liver oil is an excellent source of vitamins A and D, while zinc is found in abundance in shellfish, red meat, and fish. 

5. Poor blood sugar regulation 

Eye conditions, such as cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and dry eyes, are common side effects of type 2 diabetes, a metabolic condition caused by loss of blood sugar control. 

Approximately 54 percent of diabetic patients develop dry eye syndrome, which can cause crusty residue and a gritty sensation in the eyes. 

In diabetic individuals, dry eyes can worsen into serious conditions that affect vision if left untreated. This is likely due to the damaging effects of high circulating blood glucose levels on the delicate blood vessels in the retina.

A study published in the Journal of Ophthalmology found, "Severe [diabetes-associated dry eye syndrome] leads to visual impairment, corneal scarring, and ulcers, leading to secondary bacterial infections.”

Remedies 

Artificial tears, corticosteroids, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are typically used to improve blurred vision and other symptoms of dry eyes. However, there is no single conventional treatment specifically for dry eyes related to diabetes.

Fortunately, several beneficial dietary and lifestyle changes can naturally support balanced blood sugar levels, which may help manage diabetes-related symptoms such as dry eyes. 

The ketogenic diet is a low-carb, high-fat meal plan that limits carbohydrate intake to no more than 50 grams of net carbs daily, which has been linked to improved glycemic control in diabetic patients.

Intermittent fasting is another powerful tool to support steady blood sugar levels and improve metabolic balance and may help manage and potentially reverse symptoms associated with diabetes.

Watch the video below to learn more about the common causes of crusty eyes. 

When to talk to your doctor

While some cases of crusty eyes can be managed at home, excessive eye discharge may be linked to other potentially serious conditions that require medical attention.  

If you experience any of the following symptoms, consult your healthcare provider immediately:

• Green or yellow eye discharge

• Difficulties opening your eyes

• Blurry vision

• Severely swollen eyelids

• Light sensitivity

• Eye pain 

After a physical examination and evaluation of your symptoms, your doctor may refer you to a specialist, such as an ophthalmologist or optometrist, for further treatment.

Key takeaways

Eye crusts are usually formed by the accumulation of residual mucus, skin cells, and tears that collect in the eyes during sleep.

Several factors may contribute to crusty eyes in the morning, such as seasonal allergies, vitamin A deficiency, poor blood sugar control, or microbial infections. 

Consuming a nutrient-dense diet and using effective home remedies, such as colloidal silver drops, warm compresses, natural antihistamines, and silymarin, is an excellent strategy to reduce discharge and manage crusty eyes.

FAQ

1. What causes crusty eyes in the morning?

Crusty eyes in the morning can be caused by vitamin A deficiency, seasonal allergies, a stye, poor blood sugar control, or microbial infections.

2. Does eye crust mean infection?

While eye goop can be caused by viral or bacterial infections, eye crust can also result from a blocked tear duct or vitamin deficiencies or may be linked to metabolic conditions such as diabetes. 

3. What vitamin deficiency causes crusty eyes?

A vitamin A deficiency can contribute to crusty eyes. This is likely due to vitamin A’s role in maintaining the health of the mucus membranes, which lubricate the eyes. A deficiency can lead to dry and irritated eyes, which are prone to crust formation. 

4. How do you get rid of crusty eyes?

Following a low-carb diet, such as keto, supporting your immune system, and taking natural antihistamines can help manage crusty eyes. 

Additionally, practicing good hygiene, such as removing eye makeup with warm water before bed and cleansing your contact lenses with solution, can help prevent eye infections and excessive discharge.

Sources

1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21952357/ 

2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4861815/