TRACHOMA

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TRACHOMA

Trachoma is the leading infectious cause of


blindness worldwide.

It is caused by an obligate intracellular bacterium


called Chlamydia trachomatis.

The infection is transmitted through contact with


eye and nose discharge of infected people,
particularly young children who harbour the
principal reservoir of infection. It is also spread
by flies which have been in contact with the eyes
and noses of infected people.
• Trachoma is highly contagious.
• The bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis spreads via
the discharge produced by the infected eye by direct
contact or through the flies attracted to eye
secretions.
• Repeated infections during childhood lead to
inflammation and scarring of the conjunctiva. This
causes the eyelashes to turn inwards, scratching the
cornea and resulting in a condition called
trichiasis.
• This continuous damage causes severe pain and
slowly leads to blindness, usually in adulthood,
although occasionally in children.
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

• Eye discharge
• Swollen eyelids
• Trichiasis (misdirected eyelashes)
• Swelling of lymph nodes in front of the ears
• Sensitivity to bright lights
• Increased heart rate
• Further ear, nose and throat complications.
TREATMENT
• The treatment is relatively simple. A single oral dose of antibiotic is
the preferred treatment, plus making safe water available and
teaching simple cleanliness. Because of cultural differences and
widespread poverty in endemic areas, this regimen is difficult to
implement on a universal scale.
The World Health Organization (WHO) developed the SAFE strategy.

S = surgical care
A = antibiotics
F = facial cleanliness
E = environmental improvement
• Treatment involves screening communities for the presence of
trachoma in children 1-9 years of age. When over 10 % are found to
have clinical disease, the entire community is treated with
antibiotics. In areas with less disease, only targeted groups are
treated.
TREATMENT
• Due to the contagiousness of trachoma, it is necessary to
treat all who might be in contact with the infected
individuals.
• The actual treatment is the one time use of
of Azithromycin (Zithromax) pills (currently the
treatment of choice) or the topical use of
1% tetracycline (Achromycin) ointment.
• When trachoma has progressed to inward-turning of the
lashes, surgery is necessary to correct this and prevent
the lashes from scarring the cornea

• If significant corneal scarring already exists, corneal


transplantation surgery may be required, which should
be performed by an ophthalmologist.

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