Chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and herpes can infect the eyes, causing pain, redness, conjunctivitis, decreased vision, and even blindness.
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) commonly affect the genitals, rectum, and throat. They can also spread to the eyes and any part of the body that has a mucous membrane. These are mucus-producing tissues that are usually located in the body’s tubes such as the nostrils, mouth, lips, urethra, inside the foreskin, anus, and vagina. Mucous membranes have similar structures but are not identical. What they have in common is a porous structure, which allows microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses to more easily enter the body.
Mucous membranes are also found in and around the eye, including the inner eyelids and the surface of the eye called the conjunctiva. This makes it a possible site for sexually transmitted diseases to be transmitted. Severe cases can cause damage to the eye and permanent vision loss. In fact, STI eye disease is a common cause of blindness in some countries.
In the United States, STIs rarely cause eye problems in adults but are common in newborns. This is because newborns catch infections from their mothers during childbirth. In developed countries, newborns are often treated with prophylactic antibiotic eye drops at birth to prevent infection. However, treatment can cause eye problems, so doctors often test and treat pregnant women for STIs before they give birth.
Not all STIs can cause eye problems. For example, HIV does not spread to the eyes, although it can sometimes make people more susceptible to eye problems. The types of STIs that can cause eye problems are those that directly infect the skin and mucous membranes. The four most common STIs include three bacterial types and one viral type.
Chlamydia
Chlamydia infection of the eye is sometimes called trachoma. This common infection, caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis, is one of the leading infectious causes of blindness in developing countries. Less severe forms can cause vision loss.
Most eye problems caused by chlamydia are due to conjunctivitis and scarring. Early treatment can prevent more serious manifestations of chlamydia infection. Treatment usually involves antibiotics taken by mouth or applied directly to the eye.
Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea of the eye occurs mainly in newborns. In adults, most gonorrhea eye diseases are caused by autoinfection, that is, a person touches his or her eyes after coming into contact with secretions containing the source of the infection. The eyes can also become infected with gonorrhea after direct contact with infected secretions of a sexual partner during sex.
Eye infections caused by the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae are also treated with antibiotics, usually given by injection. If left untreated, gonorrhea of the eye can lead to vision loss or blindness.
Touching your eyes after coming into contact with secretions containing the disease can cause STI infection in the eyes. Photo: Ngoc Pham
Herpes
Herpes simplex is a herpes virus that can cause eye disease as well as lesions on the face and genitals. Because herpes cannot be cured, people with this viral eye infection often have recurring infections over time, significantly reducing their quality of life.
Vision problems tend to be more severe during outbreaks but can also persist even when no lesions have occurred. Some studies have shown that herpes eye disease is more likely to occur in people who are HIV-positive or have diabetes.
Herpes eye disease is uncommon but can be serious if left untreated. Antiviral medications are usually the first-line treatment, and can reduce the risk of recurrence if used as a preventative measure.
Syphilis
Ocular syphilis is less common than chlamydia or gonorrhea, which are eye infections caused by the bacteria Treponema pallidum. However, an unusually large number of syphilis eye infections were detected in the United States in 2015. These cases were predominantly among gay men, about half of whom were HIV-positive. Syphilis eye infections can cause red eyes, blurred vision, and blindness.
Prevent transmission of infection in adults, including autoinfection, by avoiding rubbing the eyes during or after sexual contact. Wash hands before touching the face. If there are unusual symptoms or discharge from the eyes, the patient should seek medical attention.