Conjunctivitis is an infection or inflammation of the conjunctivae, the thin layer of cells which covers the surface of the sclerae (whites) of the eye and also the inside of the lids.

Conjunctivitis can be caused by a number of conditions, varying with the age of a child. In the newborn period, several types of conjunctivitis can be acquired through the birth canal, most commonly gonorrheal conjunctivitis and chlamydial conjunctivitis. Gonorrheal conjunctivitis generally produces a profuse, pus-like discharge. Left untreated, it can lead to blindness. Chlamydial conjunctivitis in the newborn period produces symptoms which are much more subtle, namely a mild redness and eye discharge several days or weeks after birth. Chemical (silver nitrate) or antibiotic eye drops are routinely administered in most hospital nurseries to prevent gonorrheal and chlamydial conjunctivitis. The silver nitrate drops used to prevent gonorrheal conjunctivitis often produce a mild chemical conjunctivitis of their...