Posted By

May 8, 2008, 8:55 pm
Flag as Inappropriate jenbear09  

  Subject

Eye Boogers 

Everyone gets it in the morning the crusted stuff in the corners of your eyes when you wake up. What causes this and why? 

May 8, 2008, 10:48 pm
Flag as Inappropriate K to the J says...

I've wondered this myself..can't wait to see the response.

It's not an issue though. Everyone has eye boogers. :P 

May 9, 2008, 1:57 am
Flag as Inappropriate Dogget says...

As far as I am aware these are just caused by the drying of secretions of the eye. The liquid that bathes the eye is not just saline-it contains for instance immune cells that help to prevent infection. These cells are part of what makes up the crusting that results from the secretions drying in the corner of the eye over a long night of not blinking. 

May 9, 2008, 10:56 am
Flag as Inappropriate gbyrd says...

Here is the technical definition from Wikipedia.

It is formed by a combination of mucus (consisting of mucin discharged from the cornea or conjunctiva), tears, leaked blood cells, dead skin cells from the eyelids, and dust.
 

May 9, 2008, 2:29 pm
Flag as Inappropriate MonAme says...

I always find I have a bigger issue with eye boogers when my allergies are bothering me of I have a cold, which would make sense given the definition of whats in them.

Do dog eye boogers have the same thing? My dog gets them bad. 

May 9, 2008, 6:46 pm
Flag as Inappropriate jenbear09 says...

My 2 labs get them all the time, from what I hear from friends and my vet it is normal. 

May 10, 2008, 10:04 pm
Flag as Inappropriate Ozzie says...

I had never heard this referred to as eye boogers so was very interested in reading this thread. :) I think mine are worse when I have a cold or allergy trouble too. My cat also gets them.  

May 12, 2008, 12:29 am
Flag as Inappropriate english_roses says...

That wikipedia explanation is just gross.

I actually don't get them, but my eyes tend to over-drain, I have a problem with dryness.