Your eye mucus may not be the most appealing thing for the person in front of you, but it plays a crucial role in your eye health. Most of us may have pulled out that sticky, stringy ‘gunk’ in the corner of the eye. Let’s be real. It can be oddly tempting to pull out the eye mucus, and most of us have done it at some point in time. As it is surprisingly satisfying, some make it a regular ritual. But here’s your wakeup call. That oddly satisfying habit, which may feel seemingly harmless, can quietly damage your eyes.Dr. Kunal Sood, MD, a double-board-certified physician in anesthesiology and interventional pain medicine practicing in Germantown, Maryland, has cautioned about mucus fishing. In a video shared on social media, TikTok’s favourite doctor explained the danger of this common habit.
The role of eye mucus
Eye mucus often has a bad reputation and is associated with poor hygiene, but here’s the truth. It has an important protective role. Your eyes constantly produce a thin layer of tears. This is made up of water, oils, and mucus. Tears are what keep the surface of the eye moist, wash away dust and debris, and protect against germs. The ‘gunk’ you see in the morning is the dried tears plus the skin cells.
What is mucus fishing?
“Eye mucus helps keep your eyes clean, but pulling it out can do more harm than good. The habit, called mucus fishing, can irritate the surface of the eye and lead to more mucus, infections, or even long-term damage,” Dr Sood said.
Why is mucus fishing dangerous?
Mucus fishing syndrome is a chronic inflammatory ocular surface condition characterised by repetitive self-extraction of mucous strands from the eye, according to the NIH.This habit of mucus fishing may seem harmless, but it is far from that. In fact, a little discharge when you wake up is completely normal. “It might look satisfying to pull out, but that eye gunk is actually better left alone. What you’re seeing is a mix of tears, oils, and shed cells that your eyes naturally produce to stay clean and protected. A little discharge, especially when you wake up, is completely normal,” Dr Sood said.
Does that mean you can pull out the crust gunk?
“When the mucus becomes thick, stringy, colored, or constant, it can be a sign of infection, allergies, or surface irritation. The bigger problem is when people start pulling it out. This habit, known as mucus fishing, can scratch the eye’s surface, disrupt the tear film, and actually trigger the eye to make even more mucus, creating a painful cycle,” the doctor said.If you make mucus fishing a habit, you may even run the risk of vision defect. “Over time, mucus fishing can cause chronic irritation, increase the risk of infection, and in severe cases, affect vision if the cornea keeps getting injured. If you ever notice excessive discharge, it’s better to treat the underlying cause, not pull out the mucus,” the doctor emphasized.So, the next time you are tempted to pull out the gunk, resist it. If the discharge seems off, consult a doctor and see what’s happening.Note: The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any new medication or treatment, or before changing your diet or supplement regimen.
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