eLaws | eCases | Kentucky Revised Statutes | Kentucky Courts | Counties & Cities of Kentucky | Code of Federal Regulations |
 Kentucky Administrative Regulations (Last Updated: August 1, 2016)
 TITLE 902. CABINET FOR HEALTH AND FAMILY SERVICES - DEPARTMENT FOR PUBLIC HEALTH
 Chapter 4. Maternal and Child Health

  902 KAR 4:020. Care of eyes  

Latest version.

  •       Section 1. Approved Agents. The following agents are standard prophylaxis against ophthalmia neonatorum when administered in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions:

          (1) Silver nitrate (AgNO3) - (1 percent) aqueous solution;

          (2) Erythromycin - (0.5 percent) ophthalmic ointment;

          (3) Tetracycline - (1 percent) ophthalmic ointment;

          (4) Erythromycin - (0.5 percent) ophthalmic drops; and

          (5) Tetracycline - (1 percent) ophthalmic drops.

     

          Section 2. Care of Eyes of Newborn. Prophylaxis shall be given shortly after birth and shall be applied as follows:

          (1) Silver nitrate.

          (a) Carefully clean eyelids and surrounding skin with sterile cotton, which may be moistened with sterile water.

          (b) Gently open baby's eyelids and instill one (1) or two (2) drops of silver nitrate on the conjunctival sac. Carefully manipulate lids to insure spread of the drops. Repeat in other eye. Single dose containers of silver nitrate shall be used.

          (c) After one (1) minute, gently wipe excess silver nitrate from eyelids and surrounding skin with sterile water. Subsequent irrigation of the eyes is not recommended.

          (2) Ophthalmic ointment (Erythromycin or Tetracycline).

          (a) Carefully clean eyelids and surrounding skin with sterile cotton, which may be moistened with sterile water.

          (b) Gently open baby's eyelids and place a thin line of ointment, at least one-half (1/2) inch (one (1) to two (2) cm), along the junction of the bulbar and palpebral conjunctiva of the lower lid. Try to cover the whole conjunctival area. Carefully manipulate lids to ensure spread of the ointment. Be careful not to touch the eyelids or eyeballs with the tip of the tube. Repeat in the other eye. Use one (1) tube per baby.

          (c) After one (1) minute, gently wipe excess ointment from eyelids and surrounding skin with sterile water. Subsequent irrigation of the eyes is not recommended.

          (3) Ophthalmic drops (Erythromycin or Tetracycline). Apply as silver nitrate. (MCH-1-1; 1 Ky.R. 640; eff. 4-9-75; Am. 6 Ky.R. 147; eff. 10-3-79; 8 Ky.R. 938; 1152; 9 Ky.R. 5; eff. 6-2-82.)

Notation

      RELATES TO: KRS 211.180

      STATUTORY AUTHORITY: KRS 194.050, 211.090

      NECESSITY, FUNCTION, AND CONFORMITY: KRS 211.180 directs the Human Resources Cabinet to prevent and control communicable, chronic and degenerative diseases and to protect the health of infants. The purpose of this administrative regulation is to protect the eyes of the newborn in order to reduce the risk of blindness.