Pink eye, also called Conjunctivitis, is an infection of the conjunctiva membrane.

There are different types of the pink eye depending on what causes it.

Bacteria is one of the common causes of Conjunctivitis.

According to the National Library of Medicine, around six million people get affected by Bacterial Conjunctivitis annually.

In this article, you can read more about what bacteria cause pink eye.

What bacteria causes pink eye?

There are many different types of bacteria that can cause pink eye.

Most bacterial infections are mild, but some can be severe.

Depending on the severity, they are classified as:

eye allergy
pink eye or conjunctivitis

Acute Bacterial Conjunctivitis

Acute Bacterial Conjunctivitis is the most common type of bacterial infection.

Bateria Haemophilus Influenzae, Streptococcus Pneumoniae, or Moraxella Catarrhalis can cause it.

Streptococcus Pneumoniae bacteria is the most common reason of Acute Bacterial Conjunctivitis.

They are found in our own skin.

Children are most affected by these bacteria.

Although the condition is self-limited and resolves within a week or two, you can take antibiotics to shorten the duration of the disease.

Also Read: You can go through the article Pink Eye in Babies: A Complete Guide to know about the condition in babies.

Hyperacute Bacterial Conjunctivitis

Hyperacute Bacterial Conjunctivitis is caused by the bacteria Neisseria Gonorrhoeae or Neisseria Meningitidis.

It is a more severe and rare type.

A proper course of action is required to treat this condition to avoid vision loss.

Chronic Bacterial Conjunctivitis

Chronic Bacterial Conjunctivitis often occurs along with Blepharitis lasting at least four weeks.

The main causes are bacteria Staphylococcus aureus or Moraxella Lacunata.

Staphylococcus aureus lives in our respiratory system and is the more common cause of bacterial pink eye. 

It can spread through body fluids when someone infected with it coughs or sneezes.

Chronic Conjunctivitis is not self-limited and usually requires antibiotic therapy.

Warning
If the mother has an untreated infection with the bacteria Chlamydia Trachomatis, her newborn baby may become infected as well.

Causes of bacterial pink eye

Bacteria mentioned in the article can infect our eyes in many ways.

In most cases, the bacteria is spread through insects, physical contact or contaminated makeup.

conjunctivitis or redness in eye
pink eye

Insects

Insects, such as gnats or flies, can sometimes be annoying in the summertime.

Moreover, these insects can spread diseases such as bacterial infections.

Flies and gnats spread diseases by transporting bacteria from dirty conditions to humans.

A genus of eye gnats, Liohippelates are common in much of North and South America.

They are attracted to mucous membranes in our body, particularly the eyes.

These flies can spread bacteria into the eyes resulting in bacterial Conjunctivitis (pink eye).

Physical contact with infected people

Bacterial Conjunctivitis can spread through physical contact with infected people in many ways.

The infection can occur through hand-to-eye contact, from mother to baby, or through sexual encounters.

It can also spread by contact with an object that has come into contact with an infected person.

Fact
Sometimes, change in bacteria that live in the eye’s conjunctiva can also cause pink eye.

Contaminated eye makeup

Eye makeup can sometimes cause an eye infection.

According to the FDA, eye cosmetics have temporarily or permanently blinded people in rare cases.

Bacteria can spread to the eyes from makeup brushes or products, causing the infection.

Eyelashes usually have bacteria on them. When you use the brush on eyelashes or eyelids, the brush can get contaminated with bacteria. 

The bacteria buildup on the brush leads to contaminated makeup containers. Using them regularly can increase the risk of bacterial infection.

Infection can be serious if the brush scratches your eye.

Also, sharing any makeup products or brushes can increase the possibility of infection.

Also Read: If you want to know whether is pink eye contagious, read Is Pink Eye Contagious? Understanding the Risks and Prevention.

Takeaway

Pink eye is a common condition caused by various environmental factors, including bacteria.

Bacterial pink eye is usually mild but can get severe sometimes, depending on the bacteria that caused it.

It may affect you through physical contact, insects, or old or contaminated eye makeup.

Bacterial Conjunctivitis does not need any treatment, but you can take antibiotics to relieve your eyes from symptoms.

Recomemended Article:
To learn more about bacterial pink eye treatments, read A Complete Guide to Bacterial Pink Eye Treatments.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you get bacterial pink eye?

You can get bacterial pink eye in many ways, from person to person, by insects, or from contaminated or used makeup brushes and products. The infection is majorly caused due to hand-to-eye, eye-to-contaminated objects, or mother-to-baby contacts.

What is the most common bacterial cause of pink eye?

Bacterial pink eye infection is primarily due to Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus Pneumoniae, and Haemophilus Influenzae bacteria. Other bacteria responsible for the infection are Pseudomonas Aeruginosa, Streptococcus Viridans, Moraxella Lacunata, and Proteus mirabilis.

Is bacterial pink eye serious?

Bacterial pink eye is highly contagious but not a serious condition. Most cases of infection clear on their own without treatment. Although, if the symptoms are severe, you can take antibiotics to get relief.

Citations:
WowRx uses only high-quality sources while writing our articles. Please read our content information policy to know more about how we keep our content reliable and trustworthy.