I frequently get white mucus in my eyes. Is it because my eyes are dry?

There are advantages to LASIK, but there is a downside: severe dry eyes.

I frequently get white discharge, perhaps because my eyes are dry.
I always remove it with a cotton swab while applying makeup, but it frequently reappears like eye discharge by the afternoon, so I am concerned about hygiene.

I don't use eye drops separately, but if I use them when my eyes are dry, it prevents white discharge. Would that help?