Overview
Introduction
Newborn eye prophylaxis is the administration of an ophthalmic antibiotic shortly after birth to reduce the risk of ophthalmia neonatorum, also called neonatal conjunctivitis.
Newborn eye prophylaxis is the administration of an ophthalmic antibiotic shortly after birth to reduce the risk of ophthalmia neonatorum, also called neonatal conjunctivitis. For RN-level practice, this topic is not only about placing ointment in the newborn’s eyes. It also requires understanding vertical transmission, public health prevention, maternal risk assessment, newborn medication safety, legal/policy requirements, parent teaching, and urgent recognition of abnormal eye findings. The medication most commonly used is erythromycin 0.5% ophthalmic ointment, applied once to both eyes shortly after birth. The CDC recommends erythromycin 0.5% ophthalmic ointment in each eye in a single application at birth, and states that it should be instilled into both eyes as soon as possible after delivery, whether the newborn is delivered vaginally or by cesarean birth. If prophylaxis is delayed, the CDC states that a system should ensure the newborn receives it within 24 hours. The RN must understand that eye prophylaxis is primarily aimed at preventing gonococcal ophthalmia neonatorum, a potentially sight-threatening infection caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae. It does not reliably prevent chlamydial conjunctivitis, so ongoing assessment and discharge teaching...