Trachoma

What?

Trachoma is a communicable disease that may lead to considerable visual disability, infecting 150 million people and blinding 6 million in developing countries.

Why?

It is caused by the parasitic bacterium called Chlamydia trachomatis, which grows only within the cells of the eyelid. Lack of hygiene is one of the major causes of Trachoma, which commonly infects children and adults. The disease spreads by direct contact with the eye, nose and throat secretions from infected individuals or by contact with objects that may have been in contact with these secretions.

Over a period of years, the scars may eventually cause eyelashes to point inwards, scratching the lens of the eye and in many cases causing blindness.

What are the symptoms?

Tearing, pain, swollen eyelid, and corneal inflammation are some of the first symptoms. As the disease progresses, it leads to scratching of the eyelids. Eventually, scars develop over a period of time, leading to blindness. Prevention is much better than cure.