Final answer:
Gonorrhea and chlamydia can both cause ophthalmic infections in newborns during childbirth, with gonococcal opthalmia neonatorum leading to potential blindness if left untreated.
Step-by-step explanation:
Gonorrhea is caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae while chlamydia is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. Both can cause ophthalmic infections in newborns during childbirth. Gonococcal opthalmia neonatorum can lead to purulent discharge and potential blindness if left untreated, while inclusion conjunctivitis caused by chlamydia can cause chronic conjunctivitis and scarring on the cornea, eventually leading to blindness.