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Published on: 3/5/2025

How Can I Get Rid of Yellow Eye Mucus?

Yellow eye mucus is often a sign of an infection or irritation, and treating it usually involves keeping the eye clean and, if needed, using medications as directed by a doctor.

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Explanation

Yellow eye mucus can appear when your eye is fighting off an infection, such as bacterial conjunctivitis, or is irritated by something else. To help reduce the yellow discharge, keeping your eye clean is very important. You can gently wash your face and eyelids with warm water using a clean cloth to remove the mucus. A warm, damp compress on your closed eye for a few minutes can also help soothe irritation and loosen the discharge. If the yellow mucus comes with other symptoms like redness, pain, swelling, or changes in vision, it might be a sign of an infection that needs specific treatment. In that case, a doctor may prescribe antibiotic eye drops or ointments to help clear up the infection. For babies, some treatments even use breast milk eye drops, but this is something a doctor should guide. Always remember that proper hygiene and following a doctor’s advice are key to getting rid of yellow eye mucus. If the condition persists or worsens, it’s important to seek medical help to keep your eyes healthy.

(References)

  • Hearne BJ, Hearne EG, Montgomery H, Lightman SL. Eye care in the intensive care unit. J Intensive Care Soc. 2018 Nov;19(4):345-350. doi: 10.1177/1751143718764529. Epub 2018 Mar 22. PMID: 30515243; PMCID: PMC6259085.

  • InformedHealth.org [Internet]. Cologne, Germany: Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); 2006-. Overview: Conjunctivitis (pink eye) [Updated 2024 Dec 4].Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279313/

  • Sugimura T, Seo T, Terasaki N, Ozaki Y, Rikitake N, Okabe R, Matsushita M. Efficacy and safety of breast milk eye drops in infants with eye discharge. Acta Paediatr. 2021 Apr;110(4):1322-1329. doi: 10.1111/apa.15628. Epub 2021 Feb 25. PMID: 33098117.

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