Sticky
eyes in babiesSticky eyes since birth: No conjunctival redness. Self-limiting.
- Bathe with boiled water.
- Vaseline over eyelids at night sometimes helps.
- Usually cleared by age 2: Do not consider referral before then, as probing the lachrymal duct can cause stenosis.
Conjunctivitis
- Neonates: Consider ophthalmia neonatorum
- Infants: Sometimes Haemophilus - consider Chloramphenicol ointment if severe.
- Children: Usually viral, associated with coryzal signs and symptoms - treat as sticky eye.
- Classically presents with purulent discharge age 6 days.
- Caused by Chlamydia or Gonorrhoea.
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Child:
Eye swabs for Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea.
Consider serum antibodies.
Rx Tetracycline eye drops hourly and Erythromycin 62.5mg/2.5ml qds. - Parents: Endocervical and penile swabs for Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea. Treat according to swab results.