Are Your Eye Symptoms Actually Warning You About Something More Serious?

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are now being linked to eye complications, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO). While STIs affect one in five Americans and typically occur in the genitals, anus, and mouth, medical experts warn that eyes can also become infected, leading to symptoms including itchiness, irritation, and discharge.

"When gonorrhea infects the eyes, it can cause a form of pink eye with a large amount of pus discharged from the eyes," the AAO recently shared. The organization notes that eyes contain mucous membranes, similar to the genitals and mouth, making them susceptible to STI infection.

Medical experts explain that bacteria from gonorrhea and chlamydia can infect the eyes through direct contact with semen or vaginal discharge from an infected person. Infection can also occur when a person touches infected genital areas and then rubs their eyes, resulting in conjunctivitis, commonly known as pink eye.

Pink eye symptoms include redness, itchiness, swelling, and a gritty sensation. Additional symptoms involve tearing, blurred vision, and discharge that forms overnight crusts, making eye-opening difficult in the morning. While pink eye commonly results from an adenovirus causing cold-like symptoms, it can also stem from bacteria, allergens, and irritants like chlorine in the swimming pool.

In Michigan last year, health officials identified a small cluster of ocular syphilis cases where five women shared a male partner. The condition develops when Treponema pallidum bacterium, typically transmitted through sexual contact, enters the body.

Treatment approaches vary by infection type. While most pink eye cases resolve naturally, ocular syphilis typically requires penicillin treatment. However, untreated STI eye infections can lead to serious complications, including corneal scarring, inflammation, impaired vision, and potential permanent vision loss.

Medical professionals advise seeking immediate medical attention when experiencing eye pain, sensitivity to light, vision changes, or severely red eyes. These symptoms could indicate an STI-related eye infection requiring prompt treatment.