The yellowish color usually comes from dead bacteria your eyes fought off during the night.

This is completely normal and is your body’s way of clearing out buildup from sleep. However, if the discharge is excessive or accompanied by redness, itching, or burning, it could be a sign of an infection, like conjunctivitis (pink eye), which may need medical attention.

Huberman compares it to “casualties of a war” fought while you sleep, which might make you see it in a new light—your body is working hard to keep your eyes healthy!

It may come as a surprise to many people that the seemingly innocuous yellow stuff in the corners of their eyes upon waking up is actually a result of a battle that took place while they were asleep. This mixture of mucus, oils, dead skin cells, and dead bacteria