That was a statement made as a microbiologist working in one of the largest medical microbiology laboratories in the United States. Babies born vaginally to mothers infected with Chlamydia, Gonorrhea or Herpes can get those infections in their eyes on the way out of the birth canal. That is one reason prenatal care is so important, and in my state Gonorrhea and Chlamydia testing of pregnant women is required by law. The rates are higher in areas of depressed socio-economical standing. It's also the reason babies eyes are treated with antibiotic ointment shortly after birth.