RT Book, Section A1 Gomella, Tricia Lacy A1 Cunningham, M. Douglas A1 Eyal, Fabien G. A1 Tuttle, Deborah J. SR Print(0) ID 1107527724 T1 Eye Discharge and Conjunctivitis T2 Neonatology: Management, Procedures, On-Call Problems, Diseases, and Drugs, 7e YR 2013 FD 2013 PB McGraw-Hill Education PP New York, NY SN 9780071768016 LK accesspediatrics.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1107527724 RD 2024/10/09 AB A purulent eye discharge is noted in a 3-day-old infant. Eye discharge in a neonate is usually caused by conjunctivitis or congenital lacrimal duct obstruction. Neonatal conjunctivitis (ophthalmia neonatorum) is an inflammation of the surface or covering of the eye that presents with eye discharge and hyperemia in the first 4 weeks of life. It is the most common ocular disease in neonates. Most infections are acquired during vaginal delivery. In the United States the incidence of infectious conjunctivitis is 1–2%; in the world it is 0.9–21%. Congenital lacrimal duct obstruction (CLDO) (dacryostenosis) is a condition where there is a blockage of the lacrimal drainage system. It occurs in ∽5–6% of infants. The symptoms are persistent tearing and a mucoid discharge in the inner corner of the eye.