Why Eye Mucus Removal Videos are Popular on TikTok

Optometrist Dr. Bridget Anderson joins The Doctors to weigh in on the TikTok trend of eye fishing or mucus fishing. She shares there’s a condition where the eye produces excess mucus and a person will remove it with their fingers or a cotton swab. Dr. Anderson warns touching your eye can increase infection, and it’s important to see your doctor if you feel like you need to constantly remove mucus from your eye.

Do Your Eyes Produce Excess Mucus?

About The Doctors: The Doctors is an Emmy award-winning daytime talk show in its 14th season. The Doctors helps you understand the latest health headlines, delivers exclusive interviews with celebrities dealing with health issues, debates and investigates health and safety claims, explains the latest viral videos and how you can avoid emergency situations, and serves up celebrity chefs to share the hottest and healthiest recipes and foods.

[khalilgladden]

I’m not wierd but when the string comes off the eyes it feels kinda relieving

[ninjateen]

been doing this shit for decades, feels amazing as it glides across your eyeball, have no intention of stopping

[cupcakerparty]

I actually do this alot and i dont find it to be a problem it actually feels really good pulling it out😭 sounds weird but its true

[Zahra-vgzh]

Thank you for covering this. I’ve been suffering with this issue for the past 2 years. I have gone to see my opticians and they recommended that I use eye drops but I don’t feel like that helps much. I try to avoid picking the mucus out but it often blurs my vision so eventually I do have to fish it out

[MrFitznicely]

I have allergies so I often get the big strings of white mucus, and I have to get them out because I can feel it under my eyelid and it can be uncomfortable. The feeling of finally fishing out the gunge is incredibly satisfying - almost identical to squeezing a good pimple.

[joshsprinkles]

The problem is if I don't do it, it floats Infront of my iris and I can't see.

[sadalien]

I personally get mucus out when I notice it, but I won't just open my eyelid just looking for them unless they're hurting. I am glad to learn that taking out a lot of mucus can increse mucus production.. It might've saved me an ophthalmologist visit.

[EmilioReyes_]

"It's a compulsive act".

Well ofcourse it is, my eyes supposed to look and feel a certain way, if there ends up being anything that throws that balance off, I'm compelled to go fishing for it.

[lifeslessons]

Omg 😂😂😂. I’ve done this for YEARS ….when it starts pulling away I get so excited that the feeling of the pull is great 😄

[enigma___]

Happens to me every so often. It's painful. I have no choice but to remove it. It's not constant or daily.

[GoldSag]

I've been doing this for 30 years. Every doctor I've gone to just says it's allergies. One prescribed eye drop helps along with alternating warm and cool compression. It's usually worse in the morning. The mucous is thick and doesn't require much "fishing" to get out. During the day (not often), a thin strand might float across the pupil, I usually pull it and keep it moving. I get my eyes checked regularly, so I know my eyes are healthy. It's one of those things I've concluded that will be part of my life unless I drill down on the allergen causing the reaction. I went to the allergist and found out I'm allergic to grass, trees, dust, roaches, and cats. I do my best to keep a clean house, but I love the outdoors. So I know this is something I will deal with for life. Once you manage it, it's not bad. I suggest doing warm compresses. Just saturate a wash cloth with hot water( don't burn yourself) and lay it across your eyes until it cools. You can follow with a cool version, but the warm compression works best for me and keeps the floating strings away during the day.

[lisa]

I only get it in one eye. My vision becomes blurry and my eye gets uncomfortable, that's when I know it's time

[uPSIDEdOWN]

Haven’t had one in years but used to have it rarely when I was young. It feels AMAZING when you take it out of your eyeball

[AlexandraGeanina]

I'm watching this while removing my eyes mucus 😂😂😂

[tiabeaniesemotionalsupportdmon]

Sjögren sufferer here. I’ve had this as a constant issue since I was 11. Finally diagnosed at 38. Treatment for me is Restasis for the underlying dry eyes caused by the disease, and keeping your eyes hydrated. I use Rephresh Tears. Do NOT use Visine or anything like that, as many of those drops have harsh chemicals which can dry out and irritate the eyes even more, causing the annoying gunk build up.

[DZJM]

I started getting them about a month or two ago and it’s one of the most annoying things. I’m touching my eyes and removing globs every 30 minutes, and it’s worse when I’m driving and my lid gets irritated and have to pull over just to fish out a mucus string I couldn’t get the past 10 minutes, feels like I’m pulling a hair out of my eye lids. 🤮🤮

[athenavasquez]

Ohhh it's so painful for me. It makes my eye reddish and painful. But honestly, even if it hurts having that, I enjoyed picking it. It's addicting😆

[macariocanillas]

I wrestle with this stuff every night. If I don't it feels something like a grain of sand is in my eye. When I do get a hold of it, it always feels relieving when I'm able to pull it out.

[MissXoLove]

Wow never thought anyone else would be doing this I literally thought I was the only person in the world with.. well I call them eye worms lol.. but now to hear it's a trend on TikTok..😮 I need to stop I've been trying but I can't help when there's a string sitting right in my vision and won't go away...

[nmccon]

Wow on tiktok. I thought I was the only one with this. It is irritated like something in my eye. When getting rid of it, it's a relief. I usually use my clean hands/finger to remove it. Great information.