For the last several months I’ve been waking to what I'd call "excessive rheum" in both eyes -- one more than the other. ("Rheum" is the medical term for the kind of "gunk" that "normally" often collects in the corners of one's eyes.) The problem is that in terms of quantity mine isn't "normal" anymore: there's so much it takes a LOT of effort to get it out of my eye-corners and I'm even fearful of damaging my eyes trying to get it all out (particularly the one with a lot of it). My process is: to, first, take a warm, wet washcloth, let it sit for 1/2 a minute or so over my eyes, and then try to wipe the rheum out as gently as possible. Usually I then have to use a Q-tip to get all of it out.
Any thoughts? Is this just a "normal" part of the aging process? If not,
what kind of eye doctor should I see? Thank you!
Have you talked to an eye doctor? If not, why not? We can't diagnose you here!
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/eye-discharge
"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."
I would not be using a Qtip anywhere but on skin surrounding the eye. If you look at a Qtip that shredded cotton is EXTREMELY abrasive to eye and to the surrounding tissue. This can cause infection or rebound irritation.
Many times this is seasonal and if there are allergies around, blooming things, this can cause excess. Simple rinsing of the face and patting dry is all I would recommend. Avoid eye drops unless ordered by MD or used infrequently. Many have irritants in them (preservatives) that can make this worse.
If worrisome, off you go to the eye doc. Sorry, but you just can't risk eyes in any way, nor treat them wrongly.
Its not a part of aging to have a situation like you do. Get it checked out right away and good luck!