Gunky Eyed Toddler

Sounds like it might be conjunctivitis which is treated with antibiotics. It comes from rubbing the eyes with germy hands, particularly if the person has a cold and transfers the germs to the eye. The junk gets crusty as it dries. You can soften it with a warm washcloth, but then you must put the cloth in the wash and then do a good job washing your own hands as it's very contagious..

It could also be a reaction to seasonal or animal allergies. In that case, no antibiotics will work but the warm compresses will.

We have that problem with my almost three year old. Any time there is inflammation at all in her nose, gunk comes out her eyes. The school thinks it is pink eye every time, but it is just allergies. We've started her on a nasal spray that has been very, very helpful.

Unless here eyes are red and itchy - i doubt it's pink eye. I'd say it is likely allergies or a cold. Might be a sinus infection coming out but this would likely be accompanied by other symptoms (fever, cough, boogers). My daughter gets eye goop regularly - we've identified hers as allergies. See what the dr says : )

My daughter has this and it was a cold and teething. For some reason whenever she gets a cold, it's in her eyes. There were mornings when her eyes were sealed completely shut and I had to hold a warm, wet washcloth on them.
I have heard this can be because of pink eye (conjunctivitis), too.
Good luck @ the doctor's. Hope she feels better soon!

My son is 2 and just had the same thing. He went down for a nap one day and woke up with one super gross eye. It went on for about 5 days I'd say. I took him to the dr. and was told he had a virus. He was also running a low fever. I did warm salt water cotton balls to clean his eyes. But it looked pretty bad. I thought for sure he had pink eye and the dr. had been wrong. So, on Easter Sunday he looked like he got punched in the eyes but much to my surprise the next morning it was basically gone.

Some kind of crazy eye virus has been going around. I know several people (in different states) that have had it.

I've had it myself.

It could be many things pink eye, allergies, ear infection, etc glad you're taking her to the doctor