Trachoma

Trachoma is a bacterial infection that affects the eyes. It's caused by a germ called Chlamydia trachomatis. This infection is spread when someone touches their eyes, eyelids, or nose/throat with fluids from an infected person. It can also spread if you touch items like handkerchiefs or towels that have been contaminated with these fluids.

Initially, trachoma might cause a little itchiness and discomfort in your eyes and eyelids. As it progresses, you might see swollen eyelids and a discharge of pus from your eyes. If trachoma isn't treated, it can eventually lead to vision loss, even blindness.

Trachoma is a significant global health problem, being the leading cause of preventable blindness worldwide. A large percentage of trachoma cases occur in parts of Africa that are less economically developed, where about 85% of people with active trachoma live. In these areas, a staggering amount of children under five years old can become infected; in some places, the infection rate is 60% or higher.

Early treatment is crucial, as it can help prevent the severe eye problems that trachoma can cause.

Trachoma is an eye infection that often affects both eyes. It typically starts with mild symptoms, like itching and irritation of the eyes and eyelids. You might also notice a discharge from the eye, which could be sticky mucus or pus. The eyelids might swell, and your eyes might be sensitive to light (photophobia). Pain in the eyes and redness are also possible symptoms. In some cases, vision loss can occur.

Young children are more vulnerable to trachoma, but the symptoms can develop slowly. More intense symptoms, like pain, may not appear until later in life.

The World Health Organization (WHO) describes trachoma's progression in five stages:

1. Inflammation – Follicular: This is the early stage. Tiny bumps (follicles) containing infection-fighting cells (lymphocytes) appear on the inner eyelid (conjunctiva). You might need a magnifying glass to see these follicles.

2. Inflammation – Intense: The infection becomes more severe. The eye is very contagious at this point. The upper eyelid may swell and thicken.

3. Eyelid Scarring: Repeated infections lead to scarring on the inner eyelid. These scars show up as white lines under magnification. The eyelid can become misshapen and turn inward (entropion).

4. In-turned Eyelashes (Trichiasis): The scarred eyelid continues to deform, causing the eyelashes to turn inward. This can rub against and scratch the front surface of the eye (cornea).

5. Corneal Clouding (Opacity): The cornea, the clear front part of the eye, becomes clouded due to ongoing inflammation and the constant rubbing from the in-turned eyelashes. This stage usually affects the upper eyelid more than the lower one.

If you or your child experience eye itching, irritation, or discharge, especially if you've been in or recently traveled to an area where trachoma is common, it's important to see a doctor. Prompt treatment is crucial to prevent serious eye problems. Trachoma is contagious, and early treatment can help prevent further complications.

If you or your child have itchy, irritated eyes, or a discharge coming from the eyes, it's important to call your doctor. This is especially true if you live in an area where trachoma is common, or if you've recently been to one. Trachoma is a contagious eye infection. Getting treatment right away can stop the infection from getting worse.

Trachoma is an eye infection caused by a type of bacteria called Chlamydia trachomatis. This same bacteria can also cause a sexually transmitted infection known as chlamydia.

Trachoma spreads when someone touches something that has infected eye or nose fluid on it. This could be a person's hands, their clothes, towels, or even insects. In places with limited resources, flies that are attracted to eyes can also spread the infection.

Trachoma is an eye infection that can cause blindness. Several things make you more likely to get it.

• Crowded homes: When people live very close together, it's easier for the trachoma bacteria to spread from one person to another. Think of it like a contagious cough – close quarters make it easier to catch.

• Poor hygiene and sanitation: If there isn't enough clean water or good sanitation, and people don't wash their hands and faces regularly, the bacteria can spread more easily. This is because germs and bacteria thrive in dirty environments.

• Age: In places where trachoma is a problem, kids between the ages of 4 and 6 are most often infected. This could be because they are more likely to touch their eyes or faces, or because they are more likely to be around other infected people.

• Gender: In certain parts of the world, women get trachoma two to six times more often than men. This may be because women often have more contact with children, who are frequently carrying the infection. This close contact is a key factor in transmission.

• Flies: Areas with a lot of flies can increase the risk of trachoma. Flies can carry the bacteria from contaminated surfaces to people's eyes. This is similar to how a fly might carry germs from garbage to food.

Trachoma, a bacterial infection of the eye caused by Chlamydia trachomatis, is easily treated if caught early. Taking antibiotics as prescribed is key. However, if trachoma isn't treated right away, or if a person gets infected again, it can lead to serious problems.

Repeated infections can cause:

• Scarring of the inner eyelid: This can make the eyelid's surface rough and thick.
• Eyelid problems: The eyelids might fold inward (entropion) or eyelashes might grow inward (trichiasis). These problems can rub against and damage the clear front part of the eye (cornea).
• Corneal damage: The cornea, which is essential for clear vision, can become scarred or cloudy. This cloudiness can severely affect vision.
• Vision loss: In severe cases, repeated trachoma infections can lead to partial or complete loss of sight.

Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to prevent these complications.

Trachoma, a contagious eye infection, can be treated with antibiotics or surgery. However, even after treatment, people can get it again. To protect yourself and others, it's important to make sure anyone you live with is checked for trachoma and treated if needed.

Trachoma is more common in parts of Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and the Pacific. If you're in a place where trachoma is common, extra hygiene is crucial to avoid getting infected.

Here are some simple hygiene steps to help:

• Wash your face and hands often: This helps stop the spread of germs, which can cause trachoma. Washing frequently is key to preventing reinfection.
• Control flies: Flies can carry the bacteria that cause trachoma. Keeping fly populations down will help reduce the risk of infection.
• Properly dispose of waste: Animal and human waste can attract flies and create breeding grounds for germs. Safe waste disposal is essential for good hygiene.
• Have access to clean water: Clean water is essential for good hygiene practices like handwashing and facial cleaning. Having a reliable source of fresh water can significantly reduce the risk of trachoma.

There isn't a vaccine for trachoma, but the World Health Organization (WHO) has a plan to get rid of it. The WHO's "SAFE" strategy aims to eliminate trachoma by 2020. While this goal hasn't been fully reached, trachoma cases have decreased a lot.

The SAFE strategy focuses on:

• Surgery: Treating advanced cases of trachoma with surgery.
• Antibiotics: Using antibiotics to treat and prevent trachoma infections.
• Facial cleanliness: Promoting regular hand and face washing to prevent the spread of the infection.
• Environmental improvements: Improving water sources, sanitation systems, and fly control in affected areas.

Doctors can find out if someone has trachoma by looking at their eyes or by taking a small sample from their eyes and sending it to a lab. This lab test helps confirm the diagnosis. However, in areas where trachoma is a problem, these lab tests might not always be easily available. This means that sometimes, a doctor will rely on a physical exam to make a diagnosis.

Treating Trachoma: Different Stages, Different Treatments

Trachoma treatment depends on how far the infection has progressed.

Early Trachoma: If trachoma is caught early, it's often enough to just take antibiotics. Your doctor might prescribe eye ointment (like tetracycline) or a pill (like azithromycin, also known as Zithromax). Azithromycin seems to work better but costs more. Sometimes, to stop the spread of trachoma, the whole community needs antibiotics if more than 10% of kids have the infection. This approach aims to treat everyone exposed to the infection, preventing it from spreading further.

Later Trachoma: If trachoma progresses, it can cause painful changes in the eyelids. In these cases, surgery may be needed. One common surgery is called eyelid rotation surgery (bilamellar tarsal rotation). In this procedure, the doctor makes a cut in the scarred eyelid and carefully moves the eyelashes away from the eye's surface (cornea). This helps prevent further scarring of the cornea and, importantly, prevents vision loss.

If the cornea becomes severely scarred and cloudy, making vision very difficult, a corneal transplant may be an option to restore vision.

In some situations, repeated removal of eyelashes (epilation) may also be necessary to relieve pressure on the eye and help heal the area.

If you think you might have trachoma or if you have concerns about your eye health, it's important to see a doctor. Schedule an appointment today.