Everything About Mucus Fishing Syndrome: Causes, Symptoms, And Treatments

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Mucus fishing syndrome (MFS) is a rare eye disorder characterized by compulsive picking and removing mucus from the eye. The term "fishing" refers to using one's fingers, a cotton swab, or another object to fish out the mucus of the eye.

In other words, if you have Mucus fishing syndrome, you may feel a strong urge to pick at or rub your eyes. This can damage the eye's surface and cause pain, redness, and other symptoms.

MFS is often associated with other eye disorders, such as conjunctivitis and dry eye.

This article will discuss the causes, symptoms, and treatments of Mucus fishing syndrome.

What is mucus fishing syndrome?

Mucus fishing syndrome is when a person excessively picks at their conjunctiva to remove the mucus. This is often caused by increased mucus production, which can be due to allergies, infection, or dry eye. 

This picking can cause the conjunctiva to become inflamed and irritated. In severe cases, it can result in ulceration.

Causes of mucus fishing syndrome

Mucus fishing syndrome is usually caused by allergies or eye infections. Environmental factors like dust, pollen, smoke, or pet dander can cause allergic conjunctivitis. Infections, on the other hand, are usually caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi.

Every human eye has a thin tissue that lines the inside of the eyelid and the eye's front surface. This tissue is called the conjunctiva.

The conjunctiva contains goblet cells that produce eye mucus. The function of the mucus is to keep the eye's surface lubricated and moist.

But in most cases, the conjunctiva may get damaged due to certain irritants like dust, smoke, or chemicals. Variable humidity, temperature variations, ultraviolet radiation, and cosmetics can also affect the eye.

This damage can lead to excess mucus production, accumulating in the conjunctiva and forming a sticky crust over the eye's surface. This crust is what we call 'mucus fishing syndrome.

The patient may experience irritation, burning, and itching sensation in the eyes. It can also lead to visual impairment.

In some cases, mucus fishing syndrome may also be caused by certain medications like corticosteroids or antihistamines. It may also be a complication of illnesses like cancer, thyroid issues, or diabetes.

Here are some conditions that can cause your eye to produce more mucus.

Dry eye syndrome

This occurs when the eye does not produce enough tears or when the tears are not consistent. This can lead to redness, itching, burning, and a feeling of sand in the eye.

The National Eye Institute states that dry eye syndrome can happen due to medications, aging, medical conditions, or environmental factors such as dry air or wind.

Allergies

Seasonal allergies or allergic reactions to cosmetics, dust, pollen, and dander can also cause your eyes to water and produce excess mucus.

Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis, also called pink eye, is an inflammation of the conjunctiva. (the transparent membrane that covers the white part of the eye). According to the National Eye Institute, viruses, germs, allergens, and irritants are some potential causes of pink eye.

Symptoms include redness, swelling, and discharge from the eye.

Blepharitis

Blepharitis is an inflammation of the eyelids. It can be caused by a bacterial infection, allergies, or skin conditions such as seborrheic dermatitis. Symptoms include redness, itching, burning, and flaking skin around the eyes.

Dacryocystitis

Dacryocystitis is a condition that occurs when the tear ducts become blocked and infected. The tear duct is a small canal that drains the eye's tears into the nose. When the vent is blocked, it can lead to excessive tear production.

Afterward, the tears can build up in the eye and cause inflammation. Dacryocystitis, is typically caused by an obstruction within the nasolacrimal duct. Symptoms of dacryocystitis include redness and swelling in the eye, pain, and discharge from the eye.

Body-focused repetitive behavior (BFRB) disorder

Mucus fishing syndrome is a body-focused, repetitive behavior disorder (BFRB). BFRBs are conditions that involve the repetitive and intentional act of damaging or manipulating the hair, skin, or nails.

People with BFRBs often feel a strong urge to perform the behavior and may feel relief or pleasure. However, BFRBs can also cause distress and interfere with daily life.

Symptoms of mucus fishing syndrome?

The most common symptom of mucus fishing syndrome is the presence of stringy mucus in the affected eye. Other symptoms may include:

• itchiness in the eye
• redness in the eye
• irritation
• tear production
• a feeling of something stuck in the eye
• inflammation
• blurry vision
• mild pain

How is mucus fishing syndrome diagnosed?

If you have any symptoms above, you should see your doctor or an ophthalmologist (an eye care specialist). Your doctor will likely inquire about your symptoms and medical history. They may also perform a physical examination of your eyes.

They may also need to dilate your pupils to get a better view of the back of your eye( funduscopic exam). Dilating your pupils will make your eyes more sensitive to light.

Your doctor may also use a cotton bud or other tool to remove any mucus that they see in your eye.

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After your doctor has examined your eyes, they will likely order one or more tests. These tests may include:

• A vision test: This test will help your doctor determine if your vision has been affected by the mucus in your eyes.
• A visual field test: This test will help your doctor determine if the mucus has affected your peripheral vision.
• A pachymetry: This test measures the thickness of your cornea. This is important because the mucus can cause the cornea to swell, leading to vision problems.
• A slit-lamp examination: This test allows your doctor to look at your eyes under a special microscope. This can help them see the mucus and determine if it is causing any problems.

In some cases, your doctor may refer you to an allergist—a specialist in diagnosing and treating allergies. Allergists can perform skin tests to see if you're allergic to a particular substance. They can also perform blood tests to check for allergies.

Treatments for mucus fishing syndrome

No single treatment for mucus fishing syndrome exists because different factors can cause the condition. The best treatment for mucus fishing syndrome will vary depending on the case.

For example, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics if the condition is caused by an eye infection. The antibiotics will help clear the infection and reduce the mucus produced.

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Avoiding the allergen may be recommended if the condition is caused by environmental allergies.

In addition to treating the underlying cause of your condition, you may also need to use artificial tears or lubricating ointments to help relieve your symptoms. If you have a bacterial infection, your doctor may prescribe antibiotic eyedrops. Allergic conjunctivitis is treated with antihistamine eye drops or oral antihistamines.

On the other hand, viral conjunctivitis usually resolves on its own within two to three weeks. 

Overall, the best treatment for mucus fishing syndrome is to stop fishing the mucus. This may sound obvious, but it can be challenging to break the habit. If you've started mucus fishing on a regular basis, talk to your doctor. They can help you find ways to break the habit and treat the underlying cause of your condition.

A report from the National Library of Medicine, Mucus Fishing Syndrome describes a 30-year-old man diagnosed with mucus fishing syndrome. Several times a day, he would mechanically remove mucus from his eyes. This only worsened the situation. After being diagnosed, his condition resolved within a month of stopping the habit and having a course of topical antibiotics and steroids.

Here are some potential treatments for mucus fishing syndrome:

• eye drops
• antibiotics
• oral medications
• therapy
• surgery (in severe cases)

Our The Highest Rated Eye Drops should help with your symptoms.

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Bottom line

Mucus fishing syndrome is a condition that can be both annoying and painful. If you think you may have mucus fishing syndrome, you must see an eye doctor or other medical professional for a proper diagnosis. Treatment will vary depending on the severity of your symptoms. But with appropriate treatment, you can manage this condition and live a normal life.

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