what’s the purpose of the gunk that ends up in you’re eyes when you sleep and what’s it called ?

Question

what’s the purpose of the gunk that ends up in you’re eyes when you sleep and what’s it called ?

In: Biology

Answer 1

It’s mucus. A very thin layer of it is produced on the eye to help defend against germs entering the body since the eyes are an orifice.

While you’re asleep, the body temporarily stops producing it around the eyes, and so it dries up, creating the hardened little bits you find when you wake up.