Can strep cause pink eye?
Yes. Streptococcus, or “strep,” is a type of bacteria that can cause pink eye. Different types of strep are responsible for different infections in the body. Streptococcus pneumoniae is one of the bacteria associated with acute bacterial conjunctivitis, the most common type of bacterial pink eye.
Streptococcus pyogenes is the bacteria that causes strep throat. Often referred to as group A strep, it can also cause pink eye but this is less common.
Though it’s a bacteria, streptococcus is one of many microorganisms that naturally exist on the eye’s surface. Fortunately, your tears have antimicrobial properties that help stop the growth of bacteria and fight off infection. This delicate balance is important for eye health and is maintained by a healthy tear film.
But an imbalance can occur if your eyes are exposed to external sources of strep and other bacteria. This is particularly true if someone has a weakened immune system, allowing bacteria to proliferate more easily. An imbalance can happen if:
- Strep bacteria from your own respiratory system or skin reaches your eyes.
- You have physical contact with someone who has a bacterial strep infection.
- You use contaminated cosmetic or skin care products on your face and eyes.
- You practice improper contact lens care (not cleaning or replacing your contact lenses as directed).
- You practice poor hygiene (touching your face and eyes with unwashed hands).
The imbalance caused by this exposure could allow bacteria to increase and spread on your eyes’ surface. This could lead to bacterial pink eye or another type of bacterial eye infection.
Strep throat and conjunctivitis
Many times when people refer to “strep,” they’re talking about strep throat. Strep throat is a common bacterial infection, caused by group A strep, that causes inflammation of the throat and tonsils. This can result in severe throat pain and soreness, among other symptoms.
If a person is experiencing a case of strep throat, they could get streptococcus bacteria in their eye, increasing their risk of developing bacterial pink eye.
But it’s not always the same type of bacteria or virus that causes both a respiratory illness and an eye infection. While S. pneumoniae and group A strep can cause pink eye, other types of bacteria — including Staphylococcus aureus — can also cause bacterial conjunctivitis.
To reduce the risk of spreading infection, it’s important to wash your hands thoroughly and frequently when you’re ill.
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Symptoms of a strep infection in your eye
The most common symptoms of bacterial pink eye include:
- Eye redness
- Eye tearing or watering
- Eye discharge that may vary in color (white, yellow or green) and thickness (watery or mucousy)
- Eye irritation or discomfort
- Light sensitivity (photophobia)
- Eye burning or stinging
- Eye swelling
If you experience symptoms of bacterial conjunctivitis in one or both eyes, contact your eye doctor. Because it’s highly contagious, it’s common for pink eye symptoms to appear in one eye and then spread to the other eye shortly after.
Treatment
A visit to the eye doctor is recommended if you get a strep-related infection in your eye (or suspect that you have). A mild case of bacterial pink eye usually runs its course and resolves on its own within a week or two without the need for medicated eye drops. However, a strep throat typically requires antibiotics.
If you’re receiving antibiotics for strep throat, your doctor may also prescribe antibiotic eye drops for conjunctivitis symptoms.
Tips for using antibiotic eye drops
It's important to follow the instructions given by your health care provider when taking any prescribed medication. While you should always refer to your doctor’s recommendations, here are a few tips for using antibiotic eye drops for a strep eye infection:
- Store the drops in the refrigerator – Not only should this feel nice and cool on irritated eyes, it will also be easier to tell whether the drop has made it into each eye. Just check with your doctor or pharmacist first to ensure fridge storage is safe for your drops.
- Keep your hands clean – Wash your hands before and after applying your drops to avoid contamination.
- Place only one drop in each eye – While an extra drop or two may not hurt your eyes, one drop should be enough to deliver the necessary antibiotics.
- Allow five minutes between drops – If you’re prescribed more than one type of eye drop, wait at least five minutes after applying one type before you apply the next.
- Avoid touching the dropper tip – Touching the dropper tip to your eye or with your fingers can contaminate it.
- Apply the drops to closed eyes – This is especially handy for adults and children who are anxious about eye drops. Close your eyes and apply one drop to the inner corner of each eye, near your nose. Then, open your eyes and blink a few times so the drops will spread over their surface.
- Use the drops for the recommended duration – With antibiotic eye drops, bacterial pink eye symptoms should improve after three days. However, you should continue using the eye drops for as long as your doctor prescribes — even if your symptoms are gone — to avoid recurrence.
It’s common for children to feel scared or anxious about using eye drops. Be honest with them about the possibility of the drops stinging temporarily, but remind them that using the drops will help make their eyes feel better.
You may even try using the drops on their favorite doll or stuffed animal so they can see the process before it happens to them. It’s important to remain calm and make sure the child gets the required drops.
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Home remedies for a strep eye infection
Mild bacterial conjunctivitis caused by strep usually goes away on its own. However, there are some things you can do at home to make your eyes more comfortable until the infection resolves. You can:
- Use over-the-counter (OTC) artificial tears – Keeping your eyes hydrated can help calm feelings of grittiness and irritation.
- Place cool compresses on your eyes – Placing a cool washcloth over each eye can soothe inflammation caused by pink eye. To avoid spreading infection, use a separate compress for each eye, apply it only to the affected area and do not reuse the washcloth.
- Take over-the-counter pain relief – Taking ibuprofen, acetaminophen or another type of OTC pain reliever as directed may reduce pain and inflammation.
- Give your eyes a break – Take a timeout from contact lenses and eye makeup until your infection clears. Also, throw away any products that may be contaminated. This will give your eyes a chance to heal and help avoid reinfection.
- Do a cool-water cleanse – Rinsing your eyes with cool water can clear away discharge and crustiness to help your eyes “breathe” and make them more comfortable.
Keep in mind that these “remedies” do not treat the infection. Rather, they are meant to help relieve your symptoms until the infection resolves. If you experience severe discomfort or blurry vision, it is important to seek medical care.
When to see an eye doctor
If you think you have a problem related to strep in your eye, it's always wise to see an eye doctor to avoid potential complications. While many cases of pink eye are no cause for alarm, you should see an eye doctor if you experience one or more of the following:
- Symptoms that continue to worsen
- Changes in your vision
- An underlying condition that compromises your immune system
- Fever, swollen glands or other signs of infection
- Symptoms that persist even when using antibiotics
- An underlying eye condition unrelated to pink eye (glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, etc.)
- Pain or light sensitivity
An eye doctor can assess your condition and suggest treatment to prevent further issues and help restore your eye health. Schedule an eye exam with a nearby provider to keep your vision clear and comfortable.
