Trachoma
Trachoma is an eye infection caused by bacteria (Chlamydia trachomatis) that spreads through dirty hands, cloths and eye-seeking flies, especially among children in poor, dry areas with little water. Repeated infections over years scar the inside of the eyelid, which turns the eyelashes inward so they scratch the eye. Without treatment this can cause blindness. It is preventable and treatable.
Symptoms
- Red, itchy or irritated eyes
- Discharge from the eyes and swollen eyelids
- Sensitivity to light
- In later stages, eyelashes turning inward and rubbing the eye (trichiasis)
- Pain with every blink and a cloudy cornea
- Gradual loss of vision
Causes
- Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria
- Spread by hands, shared towels or cloths and flies
- Lack of clean water for face washing
- Crowded homes and poor sanitation
- Repeated infections in childhood lead to scarring in adults, especially women
Prevention
- Wash children's faces with clean water and soap every day
- Each person uses their own towel
- Use latrines and dispose of rubbish and animal dung away from the house to reduce flies
- Keep water containers covered and clean
- Take part in community mass antibiotic campaigns when offered
Treatment
- Antibiotics (a single dose of tablets or an eye ointment) given by health services
- Whole communities may be treated at once to stop spread
- Surgery on the eyelid to turn in-growing eyelashes outward and prevent blindness
- Face washing and clean surroundings to prevent re-infection
- Do not pull out in-turned eyelashes repeatedly as the only treatment; see an eye health worker
Common questions
Is trachoma surgery safe?
Yes. It is a short operation under local anaesthetic that turns the eyelashes away from the eye. It stops pain and helps prevent blindness.
Why is face washing so important?
Eye discharge on a child's face attracts flies and spreads the bacteria to other children. Washing faces every day breaks this chain.