Ophthalmia neonatorum
Ophthalmia neonatorum is a form of conjunctivitius that occurs in newborn infants and usually diagnosed within the first 28 days. The eyes of infants affected by ophthalmia neonatorum became infected during passage through an infected birth canal, causing the inflammation of the conjunctiva of the eye.
Infections that leading to ophthalmia neonatorum may be due to, e.g.
- Gonorrhoea
- Chlamydia
- Chemicals, e.g. as might have been used to prevent of gonorrhoeal infection.
Treatment of ophthalmia neonatorum due to gonorrhoea or chlamydia may involve prescription antibiotics, and in some cases hospitalisation for further evaluation. If possible and appropriate, diagnostic checks and treatment may also be offered to the mother.
More about Ophthalmology:
This section includes short definitions
of many diseases, disorders, and conditions of the eyes and visual system.
For definitions of other terms in this category, choose from the list
to the left (but note that this is not a complete/exhaustive list).
Other related pages include
- A diagram of the eye
- Definitions and descriptions of the parts of the eye
- A concise description of the human retina
- Definitions of parts of the retina
- Clinical and surgical procedures re. eyes and human visual system
For further information see also our pages of books about ophthalmology.
The following books may also be of interest:
