Final answer:
When cleansing an infant's eye, it is important to cleanse from the outer canthus to the inner canthus to avoid introducing pathogens into the lacrimal punctum and prevent infections. Newborns are at risk for serious eye infections, which is why preventive antibiotic treatments are essential. Proper infant eye cleansing technique is part of maintaining eye hygiene and preventing vision-threatening complications.
Step-by-step explanation:
When performing eye cleansing for an infant, it is indeed recommended to cleanse from the outer canthus (near the ear) to the inner canthus (near the nose). This method is to minimize the risk of introducing pathogens into the lacrimal punctum, where they could potentially bypass superficial defenses and cause an infection via the nasolacrimal drainage system. The anatomy of the eye includes lacrimal puncta, which are part of the lacrimal apparatus responsible for draining tears from the eye into the nasal cavity.
Maintaining proper eye hygiene is particularly important in newborns, as they are more susceptible to infections. For instance, infants whose mothers have active chlamydia or gonorrhea infections are at risk for ocular infections that can result in blindness. Preventive measures, such as the application of antibiotic drops or ointments immediately after birth, are vital for preventing neonatal conjunctivitis caused by infectious pathogens transmitted during vaginal delivery.