The submitted paper summarizes from the aspect of the child ophthalmologist and neonatologist in collabora- tion with a microbiologist and virologist the clinical problem of conjunctivitis in neonates, infants and toddlers as regards incidence, forms, the etiological agent and its detection and therapeutic principles. Although life threate- ning conditions are not involved, conjunctivitis is one of the most frequent ophthalmological diseases. The therapeutic procedure follows several principles. In neonates it is important in the first place to rule out the possible transmission of a Chlamydial infection, infrequently HSV infection and rarely gonococcal infection from mother to the neonate. In the majority of contaminations from the environment in the infection staphylococci, streptococci, E. coli and other Gram negative bacteria participate. In the differential diagnosis it is important to rule out obstruction of the lacrimal pathways in infants as the most frequent cause of conjunctival irritation in this age group. In addition to a fundamental evaluation of the clinical picture the diagnosis should be based also on isolation of the infectious agent. This creates prerequisites for properly selected local and systemic treatment. The optimal form of antibacterial substances for this age group are eye drops. Infections not responding or poorly responding to treatment or relapses of conjunctivitis should always be referred to an experienced ophthalmologist. This applies in particular to indications for local corticosteroid application.

        Key words: conjunctivitis, neonatal ophthalmia, HSV, Chlamydia trachomatis, obstruction of the lacrimal pathways, antibiotics