Are You Sick?

Eye - Pus or Discharge

Is this your symptom?

Yellow or green discharge (pus) in the eye
Eyelids are stuck (matted) together with pus after sleep
After being wiped away, the pus comes back during the day

Causes of Eye with Pus

Bacterial Pink Eye. This is a bacterial infection of the eye. The main symptom is eyelids stuck together with pus after sleep. Can be present in 1 or both eyes. Can also be caused by some sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Viral Pink Eye. This is a viral infection of the eyes and is the most common cause of pink eye in adults. Main symptom is pinkness of the white parts of the eyes. The eyes are also watery. Most often, there is no pus. Usually affects both eyes.
Normal Discharge. A small amount of dried mucus only in the corner of the eye. A collection of mucus can be cream colored. Often due to an irritant that got in the eye from dirty hands. Needs no treatment except wiping it away with warm water.
Herpes Simplex/Cold Sore Virus (serious) can cause eye infections, long term changes to sight, blisters and pain. May cause a painful ulcer on the cornea (clear part at the front of the eye), the eyelid and deeper tissues inside the eye. Often happens to adults who have had cold sores. Seek care from a doctor as soon as possible to prevent vision damage.
Foreign Object in Eye (serious). Small bits of sand, dirt or sawdust can be blown into the eyes. The grit often gets stuck under the upper eyelid. If not removed, the eye reacts by producing pus. The main clue is an eye infection that does not respond to antibiotic eyedrops.
Eyelid Cellulitis (serious). This is a deep infection of the eyelid and tissues around it. The main symptom is a red, swollen, very tender eyelid. The eye can be swollen shut. Usually only on one side. This can be a problem caused by bacterial conjunctivitis. The eye infection spreads inward. More often this is caused by a sinus infection. That type occurs without any pus in the eye.

Symptoms of Bacterial Eye Infection

Yellow or green discharge or pus in the eye
Dried pus on the eyelids and eyelashes
The eyelashes are more likely to be stuck together after sleep
The whites of the eye may or may not be red or pink
The eyelids are often puffy

When to Call for Eye - Pus or Discharge

When to Call for Eye - Pus or Discharge
Call Doctor or Seek Care Now Eyelid is very red or very swollen Vision is blurred (other than just due to smearing of pus or watering of the eye) Eye pain or discomfort is more than mild Eye pain and you are more than 50 years old Fever or chills; feeling hot or shivery Headache Nonstop tears or blinking Weak immune system. Examples are: sickle cell disease, HIV, cancer, organ transplant, taking oral steroids, diabetes, kidney problems. You feel weak or very sick You think you need to be seen, and the problem is urgent	Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours Fever has lasted more than 3 days Using antibiotic eye drops more than 3 days and pus is still there Symptoms get worse over 1-2 days Pus in the eye, but none of the symptoms above. Reason: you may need antibiotic eyedrops to treat it. You think you need to be seen, but the problem is not urgent

Call Doctor or Seek Care Now

Eyelid is very red or very swollen
Vision is blurred (other than just due to smearing of pus or watering of the eye)
Eye pain or discomfort is more than mild
Eye pain and you are more than 50 years old
Fever or chills; feeling hot or shivery
Headache
Nonstop tears or blinking
Weak immune system. Examples are: sickle cell disease, HIV, cancer, organ transplant, taking oral steroids, diabetes, kidney problems.
You feel weak or very sick
You think you need to be seen, and the problem is urgent

Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours

Fever has lasted more than 3 days
Using antibiotic eye drops more than 3 days and pus is still there
Symptoms get worse over 1-2 days
Pus in the eye, but none of the symptoms above. Reason: you may need antibiotic eyedrops to treat it.
You think you need to be seen, but the problem is not urgent

Care Advice for Pus in the Eye

What You Should Know About Bacterial Eye Infections:
- Bacterial eye infections are common with colds.
- They respond to home treatment with antibiotic eye drops which need a prescription.
- They are not harmful to vision.
- Until you get some antibiotic eye drops, here is some advice that should help.
Remove Pus:
- Remove all the dried and liquid pus from the eyelids. Wash your hands first. Use warm water and wet cotton balls to clean the eye gently. Throw the cotton ball away after use. Use a new cotton ball for each eye.
- Do this whenever pus is seen on the eyelids.
- Also, remove the pus before the antibiotic eye drops are put in. Reason: the pus may prevent the drops from reaching the infection.
- The pus can spread infection to others. So, dispose of the cotton ball carefully in the trash.
- Wash your hands well afterwards.
- Do not share towels or wash cloths as the infection can easily be spread to others.
- Wash your pillowcase, towels and wash cloths in hot water with detergent.
Contact Lenses:
- If you wear contact lenses, you should to switch to glasses until the infection is gone.
- Reason: to prevent damage to the cornea.
- Be sure to disinfect the contacts before wearing them again.
- Discard them if they are disposable.
Antibiotic Eye Drops: How to Use
- Gently pull down on the lower lid. Put 1 drop inside the lower lid. Then close the eye for 2 minutes. Reason: allows time for the medicine to get into the tissues, rather than run out of the eye.
- Another option is to lie down. Put 1 drop over the inner corner of the eye. If you open the eye or blink, the eye drop will flow in. If you don't open the eye, the drop will slowly seep into the eye anyway.
- Avoid touching the eye with the end of the dropper.
- Throw the drops away when the infection has cleared.
Return to Work and Other Activities:
- You do not need to miss work, but you may want to do so until the pus is only a small amount.
- Antibiotic eye drops should be used for at least 24 hours before going back.
- Avoid swimming until the infection is gone.
What to Expect:
- With treatment, the pus should clear up in 3 days.
- The red eyes may last up to a week.
Call Your Doctor If:
- Eyelid gets red or swollen
- You think you need to be seen
- Your symptoms get worse

And remember, contact your doctor if you develop any of the 'Call Your Doctor' symptoms.

Disclaimer: this health information is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it.

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