When welcoming your little one into the world, you might anticipate those precious moments of eye contact. However, you may instead find yourself confronted with slightly puffy, gunky eyes. What’s going on? That’s likely due to a protective eye ointment applied to your newborn’s eyes shortly after birth.
What Is the Newborn Eye Ointment?
The ointment used is erythromycin, a type of antibiotic. Within the first day of your baby’s arrival, a healthcare professional will gently apply a thin strip of this ointment under your baby’s lower eyelids, usually within the first few hours. This process is referred to as “eye prophylaxis,” a medical term for using antibiotic ointment to prevent potential eye infections.
Why Is Eye Ointment Necessary for Newborns?
The primary reason for administering this ointment is to shield infants from severe eye infections that could result from exposure to gonorrhea or chlamydia. These infections can lead to serious complications if not treated promptly. Fortunately, you won’t need to rinse the ointment off; it will naturally disappear within a day or two.
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In summary, the application of erythromycin eye ointment is a standard and essential procedure performed on newborns to protect their delicate eyesight from harmful infections. While it may not be the picturesque moment you envisioned, it’s a crucial step in ensuring your baby’s health.