Unfortunately, the ointment doesn't prevent ophthalmia
neonatorum caused by chlamydia (another sexually transmitted disease), which is more common today but less serious.
This bacterium causes a type of eye infection called ophthalmia
neonatorum in newborns.
Eye prophylaxis: Every newborn infant should receive prophylaxis against gonococcal ophthalmia neonatorum
Eye prophylaxis and Vitamin K: Newborns should receive prophylaxis against gonococcal ophthalmia
neonatorum and a single parenteral dose of natural vitamin K1 oxide (phytonadione [0.5 — 1 mg]-RRB- to prevent vitamin K — dependent hemorrhagic disease.
The most severe form is caused by gonorrhea and is called ophthalmia
neonatorum.
If the mother has tested negative for bacteria that typically cause ophthalmia
neonatorum, and the condition is treatable with good neonatal care, why use antibiotics if they're not needed?
Newborns are at risk of developing pink eye, too, called neonatal conjunctivitis (sometimes also known as ophthalmia
neonatorum).
She was born with an ophthalmia
neonatorum (an eye infection contracted by newborns at birth) causing blindness in her left eye, and within her first week, she had difficulty maintaining her temperature in the normal range.