Common ocular problems in children: conjunctivitis and tear duct obstructions.

Conjunctivitis, both in the newborn period and later, and nasolacrimal duct obstructions are common ocular problems facing all pediatricians. Conjunctivitis in childhood is separated into ophthalmia neonatorum and conjunctivitis at a later time. Gonococcus and chlamydia are the organisms causing the most concern in the neonatal period. Later, the diversity of causes becomes greater, but the consequences are smaller except for herpes simplex keratoconjunctivitis. Nasolacrimal duct obstructions are common in the first few months of life with most patients clearing spontaneously. Management is aimed at controlling symptoms until spontaneous resolution occurs or until the lacrimal system is probed.