Why Do Babies Get Drops in Their Eyes After Delivery?

Shortly after the birth of your baby, she's whisked away by a nurse for some basic medical treatment. When your swaddled bundle of joy is returned to your arms, you might notice that she has an ointment on her eyes. Eye prophylaxis, which is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), minimizes the risk of eye infections. Understanding this treatment will help you decide whether you want to give it to your baby when she's born.

  1. Purpose

    • Doctors and midwives administer eye prophylaxis to newborns shortly after birth to minimize the risk of eye infections, which can be caused by a number of factors. Mothers who have sexually transmitted infections, such as chlamydia or gonorrhea, may pass these infections along to the baby during childbirth, which can infect the eyes. Left untreated, these infections can cause blindness.

    Content

    • Eye prophylaxis comes in two forms: eye drops and ointment. In the past, these solutions used silver nitrate, which was painful and caustic for the baby. Today's eye prophylaxis uses antibiotic treatments that are gentler on the baby. One of the most common ways to treat potential eye infections after birth is with erythromycin ointment.

    Side Effects

    • Although today's iterations of eye prophylaxis are far gentler than their earlier counterparts, some babies may experience some mild side effects after the drops or ointment are applied. These treatments may sting or irritate the eye or even temporarily blur the baby's vision. The eyes may be itchy or red, and the baby might be briefly sensitive to light.

    Legal Requirement and Your Rights

    • In addition to AAP and CDC support for this eye treatment, all 50 states require that hospitals administer it to babies upon birth. However, parents have the right to opt out of treatment. Most hospitals, doctors and midwives will require you to sign a waiver if you choose to not have the drops or ointment administered following your baby's birth.

    Alternatives

    • If you decline eye prophylaxis after birth, you can take other measures to protect your newborn's eye health. Screening for sexually transmitted infections helps you understand whether your baby is at risk of contracting an infection during childbirth. If you notice goopy eyes, a common condition for newborns not related to STIs, a couple of drops of breast milk can help treat them.

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