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Everything You Should Know About Gonorrhea Eye Infections

Medically reviewed and edited by Harmony Vance, APRN

What is Gonorrhea and How Do You Get it?

Gonorrhea is a bacterial infection that can be spread through vaginal, anal, or oral sex with an infected person. It can also be transmitted from an infected mother to her baby during childbirth.

Although gonorrhea is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI), it can be difficult to identify because it rarely causes symptoms.

If symptoms do develop, they can include burning sensations while urinating, foul-smelling discharge, and painful or swollen genitals.

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Can Gonorrhea Spread to the Eyes?

Gonorrhea can spread to the eyes if bacteria come into contact with the area.

This causes a secondary infection called adult gonococcal conjunctivitis (GC) — also known as a gonococcal ocular infection.

GC usually causes redness, itching, discharge, and a sensitivity to light in the affected eye.

Although a gonorrhea eye infection is rare, it usually develops when the following happens:

• A newborn baby comes into contact with the bacteria as it passes through the birth canal

• An individual’s hands are exposed to infected genital fluids, and they touch their eyes afterward

• During oral sex when infected urine or other genital secretions contaminate the eyes

If you suspect your eyes have been exposed to gonorrhea, seek prompt medical attention.

Is Gonococcal Conjunctivitis Treatable?

Although it can be uncomfortable to deal with, it’s completely possible to treat an eye infection caused by gonorrhea.

Your doctor will typically perform a physical exam and take a sample of the eye discharge to confirm your diagnosis before prescribing medicine.

The treatment for GC includes medicine that is either injected or used as antibiotic eye drops. Topical antibiotics may also be effective for treating bacterial conjunctivitis caused by gonorrhea.

You should start your treatment as soon as possible before severe corneal destruction occurs and damages the eye permanently.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention do not recommend relying only on over-the-counter (OTC) medications to treat this type of infection.

OTC medicine is often not strong enough to kill harmful bacteria in the body. This means that you may suffer from reinfection or a condition that gets progressively worse.

The incorrect treatment regime can lead to further complications and delay access to the proper medical attention you need to overcome a viral conjunctivitis infection.

What are the Risks of a Gonorrhea Eye Infection?

If left untreated, or if the proper regime isn’t followed, gonococcal conjunctivitis can lead to other serious health problems and infections.

The primary risk of severe infections is scarring on the eye. This can increase the risk of blindness (epithelial or stromal keratitis).

Leaving the infection untreated can also increase the risk of gonorrhea spreading to other parts of the body.

This can contribute to severe medical conditions like pelvic inflammatory disease, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and, in rare cases, brain infections (gonococcal meningitis) that can be fatal.

It’s important to seek professional treatment as soon as possible.

How Do You Prevent Gonorrhea from Spreading to the Eyes?

The best way to prevent STIs like gonorrhea from spreading to the eyes is to practice safe sex and good hygiene.

Safe sex — consistently using a condom during penetrative sex — helps to reduce the risk of contracting gonorrhea in the first place.

If you engage in any sexual activities, practice good hygiene — like washing your hands and face.

You should also try to avoid sexual contact with a partner whose STI history is unfamiliar to you.

For any sexually active adult, it’s also recommended to get tested for STIs regularly, especially if you have multiple partners or engage in unprotected sex often.

Does a Gonorrhea Eye Infection Require Emergency Care?

While a mild gonococcal eye infection calls for professional medical care, it doesn’t usually require emergency measures.

However, if left untreated, the infection can become more severe and progress to a condition called gonococcal ophthalmia neonatorum (GON) — especially in newborns.

GON presents itself through persistent swelling of the eyelid and substantial discharge from the infected area.

This condition is classified as a medical emergency because of the complications it may cause — like developing ulcers on the corneas that can lead to blindness — and requires immediate care.

Where Can I Learn More About Gonorrhea and Other Diseases?

If you suspect that you have a gonorrhea eye infection or are concerned about any of your symptoms, you can speak to a board-certified physician or nurse practitioner from the comfort of your home.

Head over to LifeMD to make a telehealth appointment.

Harmony Vance, APRN

Harmony is a family nurse practitioner and has been caring for patients for over 20 years through various roles in the medical field. She graduated in 2018 with a Master's Degree and a focus on family care.

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