Red eyes with excessive, thick discharge—what could be the cause and how should it be managed?

Red eyes with excessive and thick discharge may be caused by eye strain, dry eye syndrome, acute conjunctivitis, keratitis, or dacryocystitis. It is recommended to consult a doctor promptly and receive treatment based on the underlying cause. Specific analyses are as follows:

1. Eye strain: Prolonged use of mobile phones, reading books, or similar activities can easily lead to eye fatigue. When nerves within the eye are stimulated, symptoms such as redness and increased eye discharge may occur. These symptoms usually gradually improve with rest, closing the eyes, or gently massaging the eyes.

2. Dry eye syndrome: This condition is commonly associated with insufficient tear production or abnormal tear composition. Dry eye syndrome often causes symptoms including dryness, foreign body sensation, and burning in the eyes, along with redness, swelling, and increased discharge. Patients may use medications such as polyvinyl alcohol eye drops, recombinant bovine basic fibroblast growth factor eye drops, or cyclosporine eye drops as directed by a physician.

3. Acute conjunctivitis: This condition is caused by invasion of pathogenic microorganisms such as bacteria, adenoviruses, or chlamydia from outside the body. Symptoms include inflammation and congestion of the conjunctiva and increased eye discharge, which may appear purulent or mucoid. Treatment may include prescription use of levofloxacin eye drops, ofloxacin eye drops, or azithromycin eye drops under medical supervision.

4. Keratitis: Infection by bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus or hemolytic streptococcus can cause corneal inflammation, leading to eye redness, congestion, and increased discharge. Additional symptoms may include eye pain and a foreign body sensation. Local warm compresses should be applied, followed by treatment with chloramphenicol eye drops, fluorometholone eye drops, or erythromycin eye ointment under a doctor's guidance.

5. Dacryocystitis: This condition may result from local anatomical abnormalities, trauma, or bacterial infection, causing significant accumulation of eye discharge. Patients may take medications such as minocycline hydrochloride capsules, methylprednisolone tablets, or pranoprofen eye drops as prescribed. In some cases, surgical intervention such as dacryocystorhinostomy may be necessary.

It is recommended to maintain good hygiene in daily life, wash hands frequently, avoid rubbing the eyes with hands to prevent infection, and ensure adequate rest to promote recovery.