Eye sleep, also known as eye gunk or crust, is the crusty material that accumulates in the corners of your eyes, particularly after waking up in the morning.
Here's a breakdown:
- Composition: Eye discharge is a combination of mucus, oil, skin cells, and other debris that collect in the eye.
- Why it happens: During the day, blinking helps to wash away these particles. However, when you sleep, you blink less frequently (normally blinking 10 to 20 times a minute during the day), allowing the discharge to accumulate. The protective mucus meant to keep your eyes healthy is no longer being regularly cleared away.
- Normal vs. Abnormal: A small amount of eye sleep is perfectly normal. However, excessive discharge, especially if accompanied by redness, pain, blurred vision, or light sensitivity, could indicate an eye infection or other medical condition and warrants a visit to an eye doctor.
In summary, "eye sleep" is the harmless build-up of natural eye secretions that occurs while sleeping due to reduced blinking.
