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Ophthalmia neonatorum became notifiable in March, 1911. In the
pre-war years ophthalmia was notified in 1.2 per cent. of the infants
born. It increased during the war, reaching 3 per cent. in 1918; since
that year it has declined, and during the last 5 years the average is 1.4
per cent. Until 1917, figures were not recorded of the milder cases.
From 1921 the total of notified and mild cases gives the following rates
per 100 births
1921 1.8
1922 2.4
1923 3.4
1924 2.4
1925 2.0
There are a number of cases in which inflammation develops in
the eyes of recently born infants, and if the discharge remains watery
in nature and pus does not form the condition need not be classified as
ophthalmia. The infection, nevertheless, may be gonococcal in origin.
Those are necessarily mild cases, but it is important that they should
be recognised and treated at an early stage, because if neglected genuine
purulent ophthalmia might ensue.
Twenty-one cases were notified during the year, 12 of those being
treated in hospital. There were also 11 instances of watery discharge
from the eyes which were brought to the notice of the health visitors.
All cases of ophthalmia neonatorum are visited as soon as possible after
notification in order to see that adequate treatment is being provided.
Treatment by the district nurses was carried out in 14 cases, 329 visits
being paid. The case rate of notified and mild (non-purulent) cases
since 1921 is as follows, showing a decline in 1925 :—