Mucus Fishing Syndrome (MFS)

Overview

Mucus fishing syndrome is condition in which you repeatedly “fish” or pull strands of mucus from your eye.

A number of eye problems can cause mucus to form. When the sticky substance starts to irritate your eye, it might seem like a good idea to pull at the strands to remove the mucus. But the act of pulling out the mucus irritates the eye even more. This causes your eye to produce more mucus.

As you repeat this behavior, it creates an ongoing cycle of mucus production and removal.

Read more to learn more about the conditions that can cause eye mucus, plus how to break the cycle of mucus fishing syndrome.

Symptoms

The primary symptom of mucus fishing syndrome is the frequent removal of strands of mucus from the surface of the eye. Constant repetition of this action makes it more likely that eye irritation and infection will occur.

A person with an eye infection may have the following symptoms:

• redness in or around the eye
• watering eyes
• pain, such as a burning or stinging sensation
• inflammation around the eye

Causes

A person develops mucus fishing syndrome due to an overproduction of mucus in the eye.

Conditions that cause the syndrome include:

Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye, is a contagious condition that causes the eyes to become pink and painful. It usually affects both eyes. Conjunctivitis can occur because of a particular allergy, bacteria, or virus.

Symptoms of conjunctivitis include:

• red or pink eyes
• an itchy or burning feeling in the eyes
• watery eyes
• sticky pus in and around the eyes.

Regular hand washing, trying not to touch the eye area, and avoiding sharing pillows or towels will reduce the risk of passing conjunctivitis to others.

Treatment

Once a person stops touching their eye to remove excess mucus, mucus fishing syndrome will clear up.

However, if an underlying condition, such as dry eye syndrome or conjunctivitis, is causing mucus fishing syndrome, additional treatment may be necessary.

A doctor may recommend:

• antibiotics
• steroid eye drops
• eye drops to help lubricate the eye
• warm or cold compresses to soothe and help reduce inflammation

It might be challenging to stop fishing for mucus at first. But, once a person has broken the cycle, their eye will eventually stop producing mucus and start to clear.

People who have BFRB disorder may find this more difficult. If a person has BFRB disorder, a doctor may recommend treatment from a therapist to try to stop this behavior from occurring.

Treatment for BRFB consists of behavioral therapy, which involves using a series of techniques to train a person to reverse their repetitive habits.

Diagnosis

If mucus discharge from the eye will not go away, a person should make an appointment with their doctor as soon as possible. Doing so will lessen the chances of the eye becoming infected.

It is important that a person tells the doctor about the symptoms they experience, and how often they pull mucus from their eye, as this will help the doctor to make a quick diagnosis.

Because mucus fishing syndrome is usually due to irritation or an underlying condition, a doctor will probably talk about any other symptoms a person is experiencing to work out the underlying cause. The doctor will usually perform an examination that involves artificially dilating the pupil and examining the eye.

It is important to note that if a doctor needs to dilate the eyes, some people might not feel comfortable driving afterward. In these situations, a person should arrange transport home from the appointment. Those who have undergone artificial dilation before may choose to drive themselves home. However, they should wear sunglasses to help with any light sensitivity that might result from the procedure.

Tips for healthy eyes

While some eye conditions are unavoidable, there are measures a person can take to help keep their eyes healthy:

• avoiding touching the eyes where possible
• ensuring hands are clean when touching eyes is unavoidable
• washing hands before inserting or touching contact lenses
• cleaning contact lenses thoroughly and replacing the lens case on a regular basis
• avoiding cigarette smoke, as this can irritate the eyes
• wearing sunglasses with appropriate UV protection on bright days
• booking an annual eye examination, including pupil dilation to ensure any eye condition or degeneration is caught and treated as early as possible
• eating foods high in Omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon and tuna, and plenty of dark leafy greens
• wearing appropriate eyewear when playing sports or taking part in activities that could potentially damage the eyes
• when using eye drops, avoid letting the tip touch the hands or face as this can make an eye infection more likely – use preservative-free eye drops where possible
• using the 20-20-20 rule if a person’s job involves looking at screens a lot — the rule is to look at an object 20 feet away, for 20 seconds, every 20 minutes
• blinking often to reduce eye strain
• Anyone who suspects they have an eye condition should make an appointment with their doctor as soon as possible and follow their advice and recommendations.

What are the risks of mucus fishing? 

Although the long-term consequences of mucus fishing are still unclear, left unchecked, it can cause infection and serious injuries to your eyes.

“The repeated trauma with fingers that have not been washed could potentially lead to eye infections,”  “Scarring of the surface of the eye or inner side of the eyelid can also occur.”

How long does fishing eye syndrome last?

Fishing eye syndrome lasts until the underlying condition is treated. Often people affected by repeat mucus thread production delay will see an eye specialist, like an optometrist or ophthalmologist, for months or years.

How do you stop fishing eye syndrome?

Fishing eye syndrome is stopped when the underlying ocular condition is treated. Depending on the severity of the underlying condition, it may take months to find the best treatment option to alleviate the underlying eye disorder.