Mucus fishing syndrome (MFS) is a disorder in which mucus is frequently “fished” or pulled from the eye. Several eye disorders can cause the formation of mucus. When the sticky material begins to bother your eye, it may seem like a good idea to remove the mucus by pulling on the strands. However, the act of removing the mucus irritates the eye even worse. This causes increased tear production. This activity causes a continual cycle of mucus creation and removal as it is repeated. Learn more about the causes of eye mucus and how to end the cycle of mucus fishing syndrome by reading on.
Causes of mucus fishing syndrome
Your eyes contain a protective layer consisting of tears and mucus on their surface; without it, your eyes can become very dry and cracked, similar to chapped lips. This lubricant permits your eyelids to glide across your eyes without causing damage.
“The mucus also includes a variety of compounds that defend the eye against bacterial, fungal, and viral diseases,” explains Dr. Sayegh.
When you fish or pull mucus out of your eye, your eye becomes inflamed and produces additional mucus to defend its surface. If you continue to remove the mucus from your eye, this is referred to as “mucus fishing syndrome” since you continue to remove the mucus only to produce more of it in the end.
Frequently, this sickness is caused by other untreated disorders.
Diagnosis
If the mucus flow from the eye persists, a person should schedule an appointment with their doctor immediately. This will reduce the likelihood of the eye being infected.
It is crucial for a person to inform their doctor about their symptoms and how often they remove mucus from their eye, as this will aid in a speedy diagnosis.
Because mucus fishing syndrome is typically caused by irritation or an underlying ailment, a doctor would likely discuss the patient’s other symptoms to determine the underlying reason. The doctor will often examine the eye by dilating the pupil artificially and inspecting the eye.
It is crucial to remember that after having their pupils dilated by a doctor, some individuals may not feel comfortable driving. A person should plan transportation home from the appointment in these cases. Those who have already had artificial dilatation may drive themselves home. Nonetheless, individuals must wear sunglasses to mitigate any light sensitivity that may emerge from the operation.
Treatment
To treat MFS, it is essential to:
Patients must never touch the whites of their eyes or the inside surface of their eyelids. This is the key to successful therapy. This can be challenging, as the habit may be difficult to quit and there will initially be more mucus in the eye. Some individuals require a physical reminder to refrain from touching their eyes. Successful techniques include the use of sunglasses, swim goggles, and gloves. Extensions of the nails have been found to aid! Plan to cease fishing when you are likely to be preoccupied with other activities, such as gardening or sports.
Reduce inflammation: Excessive mucus production is caused by inflammation of the eye and eyelid. Treating inflammation makes quitting fishing much simpler for people. Useful strategies include:
- Cold compresses
- Rinsing the eye with artificial tears that have been chilled
- A brief round of steroid eye drops that are not retained
Destroy mucus: The mucolytic medication n-acetylcysteine can be of great assistance.
Treat underlying conditions: Allergy and Dry Eye are the most prevalent causes of MFS that require continuous therapy. Anti-allergy drops such as sodium cromoglycate and unpreserved artificial tears may be required for treatment.
