Causes of Trachoma

Trachoma is a bacterial eye infection caused by Chlamydia trachoma, which may lead to blindness. It is easily passed from person to person, especially between children and from children to parents. According to the World Health Organization, it is most common where there are crowded living conditions, water shortages and excessive flies. The bacterium spreads through direct contact, most commonly with the eye, nose, throat or the sharing of bodily fluids.

Symptoms

• The primary symptoms of trachoma are itching and irritation of the eye as well as discharge of mucus or pus. If left untreated in the early stages, the disease progresses and is marked by sensitivity to light, blurred vision and severe eye pain.

Prevalence in Developing Countries

• Trachoma is most prevalent in Africa, Asia, Central and South America, Australia and the Middle East. Although the disease was common even in the United States, it primarily plagues developing countries where there is a lack of clean water. Although trachoma is most easily spread via person-to-person contact, it can also be spread by touching someone's clothing. It often effects entire families and spreads easily within rural communities, often affecting people's ability to support their families.

Predisposition

• Factors that often make a person more susceptible to trachoma include poverty and poor hygiene due to the lack of clean water and poor sanitation. Flies are common under such condition,s and they come into contact with discharge from the eyes or nose of someone with the virus and then transmit the bacteria. Trachoma most commonly affects infants and young children. However, the effects of trachoma might not be seen until late childhood or early adulthood after repeat infections.

Stages and Effects

• Re-infection of trachoma can be common in developing countries, which raises the risk for permanent damage. Trachoma begins when five or more follicles are in the upper eyelid. The area then begins to become inflamed and the eyelid starts to turn inward. When this occurs, scarring begins and eyelashes start to rub against the eye. The cornea becomes opaque and blindness ensues. The World Health Organization estimates that 84 million people have been affected by trachoma and approximately 8 million are visually impaired as a result. WHO also claims trachoma is responsible for more than 3 percent of the world's blindness.

SAFE Strategy

• The World Health Organization has developed a public health program called SAFE that focuses on avoiding the spread of trachoma by reversing its damage, treating those infected and taking long-term preventative measures. The program begins by offering surgery to correct vision for those with advanced stages of the disease and also treat the infected with donated antibiotics. The program also promotes personal hygiene, such as facial cleanliness in order to reduce the transmission of trachoma. Long-term measures are taken, such as increasing access to clean water and making environmental improvements like sanitation.