Trachoma: Symptoms, Stages and Causes

Definition and Causes

• Trachoma is a chronic and infectious eye disease caused by bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis
• It is primarily spread through:
  • Direct contact with an infected person's eyes or nose
  • Contaminated hands or objects
  • Flies can also act as vectors

Symptoms and Stages

• Symptoms:
  • Redness and discharge in the eyes
  • Swollen eyelids
  • Pain in the eyes
  • Blurred vision
• Stages:
  1. Infection: Bacterium infects the eye, causing inflammation and scarring
  2. Trachomatous inflammation: Repeated infections lead to scarring and tissue damage
  3. Trachomatous scarring: Scarring causes the eyelid to turn inward, leading to blindness

Complications and Prevention

• Complications:
  • Corneal opacification (clouding of the cornea)
  • Vision loss and blindness
• Prevention:
  • Good hygiene practices (e.g., washing hands, face, and eyes regularly)
  • Avoiding sharing personal items
  • Eliminating flies and other vectors
  • Antibiotic treatment for infected individuals

Epidemiology and Control

• Trachoma is a major public health problem in developing countries, particularly in Africa and Asia
• The World Health Organization (WHO) aims to eliminate trachoma by 2030 through:
  • Mass antibiotic distributions
  • Surgery for advanced cases
  • Health education and promotion
  • Improved sanitation and hygiene practices

Definition and Causes

• Trachoma is a chronic and infectious eye disease caused by bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis.
• It is primarily spread through: • Direct contact with an infected person's eyes or nose • Contaminated hands or objects • Flies acting as vectors

Symptoms and Stages

• Symptoms of trachoma include: • Redness and discharge in the eyes • Swollen eyelids • Pain in the eyes • Blurred vision
• The stages of trachoma are: • Infection: Bacterium infects the eye, causing inflammation and scarring • Trachomatous inflammation: Repeated infections lead to scarring and tissue damage • Trachomatous scarring: Scarring causes the eyelid to turn inward, leading to blindness

Complications and Prevention

• Complications of trachoma include: • Corneal opacification (clouding of the cornea) • Vision loss and blindness
• Prevention methods include: • Good hygiene practices (e.g., washing hands, face, and eyes regularly) • Avoiding sharing personal items • Eliminating flies and other vectors • Antibiotic treatment for infected individuals

Epidemiology and Control

• Trachoma is a major public health problem in developing countries, particularly in Africa and Asia.
• The World Health Organization (WHO) aims to eliminate trachoma by 2030 through: • Mass antibiotic distributions • Surgery for advanced cases • Health education and promotion • Improved sanitation and hygiene practices