Conjunctivitis is an eye condition commonly known as “pink eye.” One cause of conjunctivitis is a bacterial infection. It is very contagious. Conjunctivitis is inflammation of the conjunctiva. This is a clear membrane, composed of different cells, that covers the inside of the eyelids and the white part of the eye. Conjunctivitis is often called “pink eye” due to the eye redness it causes.
Depending on the cause, conjunctivitis can be uncomfortable and highly contagious. The three main causes of conjunctivitis are bacterial and viral infections and allergies. Treatment is not always necessary but can reduce symptoms and how long the infection lasts.
Read on to learn more about bacterial conjunctivitis.
Bacterial conjunctivitis is a bacterial infection of the conjunctiva. It occurs when bacteria multiply in the conjunctiva and cause inflammation.
Bacterial conjunctivitis is less common than viral or allergic conjunctivitis but is more likely to cause complications and be more difficult to treat.
Acute bacterial conjunctivitis is the most common form of bacterial conjunctivitis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It develops quickly and usually goes away in 1–2 weeks.
Bacteria that cause most cases of bacterial conjunctivitis include:
Bacterial conjunctivitis can develop in infants after vaginal birth to mothers with chlamydia or gonorrhea.
Transmission of bacterial conjunctivitis happens in the following ways:
The chances of bacterial conjunctivitis increase if you have reduced immune system function or wear contact lenses.
Symptoms of bacterial conjunctivitis include:
Conjunctivitis is the most common cause of eye-related visits to primary care physicians. Contact an eye care professional if you have any of the following symptoms or situations along with pink eye:
Contact your doctor if pink eye symptoms do not improve after 2–3 days with or without treatment.
A physician should see an infant with symptoms of conjunctivitis as soon as possible to determine the cause. With newborn conjunctivitis, there is a chance of corneal ulcers, blindness, and the spread of infection within the body.
Bacterial conjunctivitis symptoms are similar to viral or allergic conjunctivitis. However, these clinical clues indicate a bacterial infection is more likely:
The physician may collect a sample of eye discharge for a bacterial culture to confirm the diagnosis.
Doctors often prescribe antibiotics for bacterial infections. However, they may not prescribe antibiotics for uncomplicated bacterial conjunctivitis, such as due to strep or H. influenzae. Contact a doctor for an accurate diagnosis. An eye examination and medical history review should guide your care.
The CDC advises antibiotic treatment for bacterial conjunctivitis due to:
Bacterial conjunctivitis treatment guidelines suggest careful selection of antibiotics. Prescription bacterial conjunctivitis eye drops and ointments include but are not limited to:
Doctors prescribe antibiotic pills for gonorrhea or chlamydia.
Some people are anxious or afraid of using eye drops. Getting children to tolerate them can also be challenging. From the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), ways to help with this include:
As the AAO explains, each drop contains approximately 10 times the amount of medication that will fit in the eye. So, do not worry if you feel that most of the medication is escaping down your cheek.
Things you can do at home include:
Eye drops available over the counter (OTC) that relieve redness, such as Visine and Murine, do not kill bacteria and do not treat bacterial conjunctivitis.
It is important to keep these eye drops away from children. The active ingredient tetrahydrozoline is extremely toxic if taken internally. Even a small amount can cause a dangerously low heart rate and blood pressure or difficulty breathing.
In general, bacterial conjunctivitis has few complications. However, infection with gonorrhea or chlamydia can result in permanent vision loss. Other complications include keratitis and corneal ulcers.
The CDC suggests the following precautions to avoid catching or transmitting bacterial conjunctivitis:
Ryan Corte, O.D. reviewed the following frequently asked questions.
Yes, bacterial conjunctivitis can spread from:
In children, the most common cause of bacterial conjunctivitis is Haemophilus influenzae. A vaccine protects against H. influenzae type b (Hib) infections. In adults, Staphylococcus aureus is the most common cause. Strep bacteria also cause it.
Yes, bacterial conjunctivitis usually improves in 2–5 days without treatment but may last 2 weeks.
Bacterial conjunctivitis is a very common condition that rarely causes serious complications. Contact your primary care doctor or an eye care professional if you have eye pain, thick drainage from your eyes, and crustiness. Doctors may prescribe antibiotics for bacterial conjunctivitis.
To prevent the spread of bacterial conjunctivitis, practice good hand hygiene, do not share personal care items, and frequently wash towels and bedding.
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