What Causes White, Stringy Mucus in Eye?

Our eyes make mucus to keep themselves safe and comfortable. When you have white, stringy mucus, it may be because your eyes are not getting enough moisture. In dry eye conditions, the watery part of your tear film is low, so your eye produces extra mucus (made from special proteins called mucins) to help protect and smooth the surface. Allergies can also cause your eyes to get irritated, and your body reacts by making more stringy mucus to flush out the irritants. Sometimes, if the eye is tired or has been exposed to dust or wind for a long time, it can produce this white mucus as a way to keep the eye lubricated. Usually, this mucus is white because it is not filled with the yellow or green pus that is seen when there is an infection. If you see a lot of white, stringy mucus along with signs of dryness, itching, or discomfort, it is important to let an eye doctor check your eyes. They can suggest treatments such as lubricating eye drops, warm compresses to improve oil gland function, or ways to reduce allergy symptoms so that your eyes feel better.