AnnaMaria
What That Yellow Goop in Your Eyes Really Means
There’s a whole “battle” happening with your eyes while you sleep, and most of us don’t even realize it.
Few things feel better than climbing into bed after a long day and drifting off into a peaceful sleep. But the next morning? Not so glamorous, especially when you catch a glimpse of yourself in the mirror and spot that gross yellow gunk in the corners of your eyes.
It’s a universal experience—we casually wipe it away and move on. But have you ever wondered what that mysterious “sleep” actually is?
After a TikTok user shared the real reason behind eye crust, people were left shocked.
According to neuroscientist Andrew Huberman, “If you have ever woken up with some crust on your eyes—that kind of yellowy stuff—that’s actually dead bacteria your eyes defeated during your night’s sleep.”
In other words, when you wipe away that morning crust, you’re removing the casualties from an overnight battle your immune system won!
Why Does It Collect?
During sleep, your eyes continue to produce a small amount of oils and mucus to stay moist. Since you aren’t blinking while asleep, the natural discharge has nowhere to go and collects in the corners of your eyes.
Eye discharge can take various forms:
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Crusty or sticky
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Thick or thin
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White, clear, or slightly yellow
How People Reacted
TikTok users were amazed by the revelation.
One commented, “I refuse to lose, even when I’m sleeping.“
Another joked, “Starting the day with a victory.“
(And one user confessed they once put it in their tea in kindergarten—which, honestly, left everyone speechless.)
When Eye Discharge Isn’t Normal
While a small amount of eye crust is completely normal, excessive sticky yellow pus around the eyelashes can be a sign of conjunctivitis (also known as pink eye).
Conjunctivitis is usually caused by an infection or allergies and, while it typically clears up on its own within a couple of weeks, it can be extremely uncomfortable. Symptoms include:
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Red, burning, itchy eyes
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A gritty sensation
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Pus that sticks to the lashes
How to Ease Conjunctivitis Symptoms (NHS Recommendations)
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Wash your eyelids: Boil water, let it cool, and gently wipe your eyelashes with a clean cotton pad (use a new pad for each eye).
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Apply a cold compress: Hold a cool, damp flannel over your eyes for a few minutes to help reduce discomfort.
