[1] Infectious neonatal conjunctivitis is typically contracted during vaginal delivery from exposure to bacteria from the birth canal, most commonly Neisseria gonorrhoeae or Chlamydia trachomatis.

Signs and symptoms include:[citation needed] Chemical causes: Right after delivery Neisseria gonorrhoeae: Delivery of the baby until 5 days after birth (early onset) Chlamydia trachomatis: 5 days after birth to 2 weeks (late onset – C. trachomatis has a longer incubation period)[2] Untreated cases may develop corneal ulceration, which may perforate, resulting in corneal opacification and staphyloma formation.

[citation needed] The two most common infectious causes of neonatal conjunctivitis are N. gonorrheae and Chlamydia, typically acquired from the birth canal during delivery.

[citation needed] Ophthalmia neonatorum due to gonococci (N. gonorrhoeae) typically manifests in the first 5 days after birth and is associated with marked bilateral purulent discharge and local inflammation.

Systemic therapy: Newborns with gonococcal ophthalmia neonatorum should be treated for 7 days with ceftriaxone, cefotaxime, ciprofloxacin, or crystalline benzyl penicillin.

[20] In late 19th century Europe, the prevalence of opthalmia neonatorum among live births in maternity hospitals exceeded 10%, with blindness in 3% of affected infants.