Title: Ocular Symptoms: STIs Can Impact Your Eyes, Warns Expert
By Alexandra Klausner
Published Sep. 14, 2023, 2:27 p.m. ET
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) affect approximately 1 in 5 individuals in the United States. While symptoms in the genital area are well-known, a recent study suggests that the eyes may also provide important clues about a person’s sexual health.
Abbas Kanani, head pharmacist at the UK’s Chemist Click, revealed that eye pain and redness are often the initial signs of an STI. However, these symptoms are frequently overlooked since they can be attributed to various causes.
According to Kanani, the nine most common signs of an STI in the eyes include pain, redness, swelling, discharge, irritation, blurry vision, floating spots, sensitivity to light, and sensitivity to touch.
Chlamydia, the most commonly reported STI in the US, can also present in the eyes. Kanani explains that symptoms such as irritation, pain, swelling, and discharge, usually affecting one eye specifically, may indicate chlamydia infection in the eye. The infection can be highly contagious and can easily spread through direct contact with infected genital fluid or even eye-to-eye contact.
If left untreated, chlamydia can lead to various health issues such as pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, prostate gland infection, reactive arthritis, and infections in newborns. Treatment for chlamydia usually involves antibiotics, with Doxycycline as the first-line option, taken orally. Proper diagnosis is crucial to ensure an accurate treatment plan.
Gonorrhea, the second-most commonly reported STI in the US, can cause several ocular disturbances such as sensitivity to light, discharge, conjunctivitis, swelling of eye membranes, and lymph node swelling. Antibiotic-resistant strains of gonorrhea are posing a public health crisis. The infection can be contracted through unprotected anal or oral sex, and contact between the eyes and infected fluids.
Syphilis, although less common, exhibited a 26% rise in cases last year. Infections caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum can result in genital, anal, and mouth sores. If left untreated, ocular syphilis can lead to blindness. Symptoms of ocular syphilis include floating spots in the field of vision, changes in vision like blurry vision, and sensitivity to light. Early treatment and notifying recent sexual partners for testing are important steps in managing the infection.
Regular sexual health screenings are crucial in preventing long-term or permanent damage from STIs. Beyond STIs, eye symptoms can also indicate diabetes or dementia risk, further emphasizing the importance of regular eye doctor visits.
It is essential for individuals who suspect an STI, including ocular symptoms, to seek immediate treatment and inform recent sexual partners, encouraging them to get tested as well. Early diagnosis and intervention play a key role in effectively managing STIs and mitigating associated complications.