While COVID-19 vaccines haven’t been tied to serious vision issues, researchers have detected eye problems in a number of children with the disease itself. One study showed nearly one-fourth of children who were treated for COVID-19 at a Chinese hospital in early 2020 had mild eye problems. Those problems included: • Eye discharge • Conjunctivitis or pink eye • Eye rubbing • Eye pain • Eyelid swelling
But the study was limited. Researchers reviewed the conditions of only 216 paediatric patients.
There is no evidence to date of eye problems in children from COVID vaccines. What is eye discharge? Eye discharge, or "sleep" in your eyes, is a combination of mucus, oil, skin cells and other debris that accumulates in the corner of your eye while you sleep. It can be wet and sticky or dry and crusty, depending on how much of the liquid in the discharge has evaporated. Eye discharge has a protective function, removing waste products and potentially harmful debris from the tear film and the front surface of your eyes. Your eyes produce mucus throughout the day, but a continuous thin film of tears bathes your eyes when you blink, flushing out the discharge before it hardens in your eyes.
Some sleep in your eyes upon waking is normal, but excessive eye discharge, especially if it's green or yellow in colour and accompanied by blurry vision or light sensitivity or eye pain, can indicate a serious eye infection or eye disease and should be promptly examined by your eye doctor. Where does eye mucus come from? Eye discharge (rheum) is a function of your tear film and a necessary component of good eye health. It primarily consists of thin, watery mucus produced by the conjunctiva (called mucin), and meibum — an oily substance secreted by the Meibomian glands which helps keep your eyes lubricated between blinks.
Causes of eye discharge:- Sleep in your eyes usually isn't cause for alarm, but if you notice a difference in consistency, color and quantity of eye gunk, it could indicate an eye infection or disease. Common eye conditions associated with abnormal eye discharge include: Conjunctivitis Blepharitis Stye Dry eyes Contact lenses Eye injury Corneal ulcer Dacryocystitis Eye discharge treatment A small amount of eye discharge is harmless, but if you notice changes in the color, frequency, consistency and amount, consult your Eye Doctor. -If an eye infection is the cause of eye mucus, your eye care practitioner may prescribe antibiotic or antiviral eye drops and ointments. -If eye allergies are making your eyes watery and irritated, over-the-counter antihistamine eye drops and decongestants may relieve symptoms. -Warm compresses placed over your eyes may help relieve symptoms of itching and general eye discomfort, as well as help remove eye goop. -If your eyelids are stuck together, the best way to "unglue" your lids is to wet a washcloth in warm water and place it over your eyes for a few minutes before gently wiping away the eye gunk. At-home checklist:- Follow these simple tips to avoid or manage eye discharge: • Refrain from touching your eyes to avoid the onset or spread of an eye infection. • Wash your hands frequently, especially if you have contagious pink eyes. • If you experience eye discharge when wearing contacts, remove your lenses and see your eye doctor. Sometimes switching to daily disposable contact lenses or to different contact lens material can reduce the risk of contact lens-related discharge. • If you have an eye infection, discard any potentially contaminated cosmetics such as mascara and eyeliner, as well as current contacts, which may be contaminated. • If allergies are the cause of your watery eyes, investigate your environment and try to remove or minimize your exposure to the irritants. And if you're sensitive to eye drops, try using preservative-free drops.
Article by
Dr. A H Hajra Salar
Ophthalmologist
I Care Center
Hyderabad
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