Eye Infection: Chlamydial Conjunctivitis

What is chlamydial conjunctivitis?

Conjunctivitis is inflammation of the conjunctiva. The conjunctiva is the clear membrane that lines the inside of the eyelids and covers the white of the eye.

Chlamydia are a kind of bacteria.

What is the cause?

Chlamydia can be spread by body fluids. This includes:

• touching your eyes with your hands
• sharing washcloths, towels, cosmetics, or false eyelashes
• sexual contact

Also, a mother who has chlamydia can give this disease to her baby at birth as the baby passes through the birth canal.

What are the symptoms?

Eye problems caused by chlamydia in adults usually develop slowly. Symptoms may include:

• watery discharge
• irritation
• redness
• eyes sensitive to light

Usually there is no change in vision and no pain.

In a newborn, the symptoms may be eye redness and watery discharge that begin when the baby is 5 to 7 days old.

How is it diagnosed?

Your eye care provider will examine your eyes. You may have inflammation, bumps, or scar tissue inside your eyelid. Your provider may send scrapings from the underside of your eyelid to a lab to identify the organism causing your symptoms.

How is it treated?

You will need two forms of antibiotics:

• one that you take in pill form to kill chlamydia in your body, AND
• one that you put in your eyes in the form of eyedrops or ointment

Treatment for a newborn is antibiotic ointment and IV antibiotics. Early treatment can prevent serious problems. Chlamydia can cause blindness or severe lung infections in newborns.

How can I take care of myself?

Follow your provider's instructions carefully. You may need to have tests for other sexually transmitted diseases, such as gonorrhea, syphilis, or HIV (the virus that causes AIDS). Also, your sexual partner must be treated for chlamydia with antibiotics.

You may have only mild symptoms for weeks or months. Usually you will get better after taking the antibiotics for 3 to 4 weeks.

How can I help prevent chlamydial conjunctivitis?

• Wash your hands often. Do not touch or rub your eyes.
• Never share eye makeup or cosmetics with anyone. When you have conjunctivitis, throw out all eye makeup you have been using.
• Do not share towels, washcloths, pillows, or sheets with anyone. If one of your eyes is affected but not the other, use a separate towel for each eye.
• Practice safe sex to avoid getting any sexually transmitted disease (STD).
• Be sure that your partner is also treated for any STD.
• If you are pregnant and have a chlamydial infection, get treatment for it before your baby is born.