There is suddenly more eye mucus, is it a sign of illness?

If the secretion from the corners of the eyes increases significantly, there is often "eye mucus" when waking up, accompanied by red eyes, misty eyes and other symptoms, it is likely that the tear duct is blocked. Once the tear duct is blocked, the originally orderly tear circulation is broken, and various eye problems will ensue.

What is a blocked tear duct?

The tear duct system is composed of the lacrimal canaliculus, the common lacrimal duct, the lacrimal sac, and the nasolacrimal duct. When a part of our tear duct is blocked, narrowed, or blocked, the tears cannot be discharged through the normal path. Either they cannot be drained or they are blocked. The most obvious manifestation is uncontrolled and involuntary tears.

Why does eye mucus increase?

Our tear ducts discharge tears day and night. When the tear ducts are blocked, the tears cannot be discharged through the tear ducts and can only "temporarily reside" in the tear sacs along with germs and dust.

Over time, it may lead to chronic or acute inflammation of the eyes, with symptoms such as blurred vision, eye pain, eye congestion, etc. Over time, these acute and chronic inflammations will recur, and in severe cases, they will spread to the root of the nose and face, causing systemic symptoms.

It is worth noting that other eye diseases such as environmental stimulation, eye fatigue, conjunctivitis, etc. can also cause increased eye secretions. It is recommended that when related symptoms appear, you should go to a professional ophthalmic medical institution in time to find the cause and symptomatic treatment.

Is it okay to leave tear duct obstruction untreated?

Dr. Lu Yingying from Tianjin University Aier Eye Hospital said that if tear duct obstruction is not treated for a long time, it will not heal on its own. If you cry for a long time, it may cause eye inflammation, red eyes, excessive secretions, eye lumps and other complications. In severe cases, it may affect your normal life.

At the same time, frequent wiping of tears for a long time can easily cause skin problems around the eyes. Therefore, if tear duct obstruction occurs, you should go to a professional ophthalmic medical institution as soon as possible for standardized examination and treatment.