Can gonorrhea infect the eyes?

Gonorrhea is an infection caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae, which primarily affects mucous membranes in the body. One of the notable aspects of this infection is its potential to infect not just the genital area but also other regions, including the eyes. This can occur in adults, often through hand-to-eye contact after touching infected genital areas. In infants, gonococcal ophthalmia can occur when the baby passes through the birth canal of an infected mother during delivery, highlighting that the eyes can indeed be infected by gonorrhea.

The ability of gonorrhea to infect the eyes is particularly significant in considering the broader implications of the disease, especially in public health contexts, where eye infections can lead to serious complications, such as blindness, if left untreated. This emphasizes the importance of awareness and screening for sexually transmitted infections, as they can present in various ways beyond the typical symptoms associated with genital infections.