It is A type of bacterial conjunctivitis or infection of eyelid tissues, affecting newborns during delivery. The problem arises when the eyes of a newborn get infected while passing through the birth canal of a woman suffering from chlamydia trachomatis or Nieisseria gonorrhoeae.
This condition is differentiated into two main types: Infectious & Non-Infectious.
Causes of neonatal ophthalmia:
Causes of ophthalmia neonatorum depends on the type of the disease, either infectious or non-infectious. A few chemical irritants like silver nitrate often causes non-infectious type of conjunctivitis. Bacterial infections such as Chlamydia & N.gonorrheae present in the birth canal of a woman can give rise to conjunctivitis in the neonate. Other agents which can give rise to neonatal ophthalmia may include: Staphylococcus aureus, Steptococcus pneumonia, Herpes simplex virus, Streptococcus haemolyticus.
Symptoms of neonatal ophthalmia:
The sign and symptoms of the disorder, which indicate its presence among newborns, may include:
- Mucoid, purulent or mucopurulent discharge from eyes.
- Swelling of affected eyelids.
- Tenderness along with pain in the eyeball.
- Corneal involvement may occur in herpes simplex ophthalmia neonatorum.
- Other signs include vesicles on the skin surrounding the eye and corneal epithelial involvement with ulcers,being the typical signs of herpetic keratitis in newborns.
Complications of neonatal ophthalmia:
This disease often call for some complications in the patient’s body, such as:
- Conjunctivitis
- Keratitis
- Superior corneal pannus
How to prevent?
In order to mprevent a newborn from getting affected by neonatal ophthalmia, the pregnant woman should be treated for sexually transmitted diseases. If a newborn in the family is experiencing irritation in the eye or having swollen eyelids, consulting a doctor at the earliest is highly recommended.
Prevention through good prenatal care and treatment of chlamydial, gonococcal, or herpetic infections during pregnancy remains the best preventative method.
Can Homeopathy cure neonatal ophthalmia?
AVI homeopathy has lots of records of complete cured cases of neonatal ophthalmia. Homeopathic medicines for neonatal ophthalmia are highly effective natural medicines. They can reduce the discharge from eyes, swelling, redness and gritty sensation in the eyes. Dr.Chaudhary strongly recommends homeopathic medicines for ophthalmia neonatorum as they can shorten the disease course and help the patient to recover soon. Most of all Homeopathic medicines are safe to use without any side-effects.