Final answer:
Chlamydial ophthalmia in neonates can cause symptoms such as eye irritation, tearing, and light sensitivity due to Chlamydia trachomatis infection, and treatment involves antibiotic administration to prevent possible blindness.
Step-by-step explanation:
The symptoms of Chlamydial ophthalmia in neonates, also known as inclusion conjunctivitis or ophthalmia neonatorum, include inflammation of the conjunctiva which can manifest with irritation, excess tearing, sensitivity to light, and possible discharge. This condition results from exposure to Chlamydia trachomatis during the passage through the birth canal if the mother has an active chlamydia infection. If not promptly treated with the appropriate antibiotics, the infection can spread to the cornea, potentially causing ulceration or perforation that may result in vision loss or permanent blindness. Hence, newborns routinely receive prophylactic antibiotic eye drops or ointments immediately after birth to prevent such infections.