Trachoma
What is trachoma?
Imagine waking up one day with itchy, swollen eyes, only to discover that over time, your vision starts to blur permanently. This is the reality for millions of people suffering from trachoma, an eye infection that, if left untreated, can lead to irreversible blindness.
Trachoma is caused by a bacterium called Chlamydia trachomatis. This infection thrives in areas with poor sanitation, overcrowding, and limited access to clean water—conditions that affect many rural African communities. According to the world health organization (WHO), Africa accounts for over 80% of the world’s trachoma cases, making it a major public health concern.
How common is trachoma in Africa?
Trachoma is the leading cause of infectious blindness in the world, but it disproportionately affects Africa. Here are some alarming facts:
- Over 40 million people worldwide have active trachoma, and more than 5 million have gone blind because of it.
- More than 30 African countries are struggling with trachoma, especially in places like Ethiopia, South Sudan, Nigeria, and Tanzania.
- In some parts of Africa, up to 60% of children suffer from early-stage trachoma due to poor hygiene conditions.
How do people get trachoma?
Trachoma spreads easily, especially in places where people live in close contact and do not have access to clean water for washing their faces regularly. You can get trachoma:
- Through direct contact with fluid from the infected eye, such as when an infected person rubs their eyes and touches another person.
- By sharing contaminated items like towels, handkerchiefs, and bedsheets.
- From flies that land on infected eyes and then spread the bacteria to others.
In many African villages, children with dirty faces attract flies that carry the bacteria, which increases their risk of infection.
Symptoms: How does a chlamydia eye infection look?
Early detection is important because trachoma starts as a minor irritation but can gradually cause blindness.
Symptoms include:
- Redness and irritation in the eyes.
- Swollen eyelids that feel itchy.
- Mucous discharge that causes the eyelids to stick together.
- Watery eyes (excessive tearing).
- Sensitivity to light (pain when exposed to bright light).
- Swollen lymph nodes around the eyes.
- Scarring of the inner eyelid, which eventually causes the eyelashes to turn inward and scratch the cornea, leading to blindness.
In newborn babies, trachoma can be passed from mother to child during childbirth, causing eye infections within a few weeks after birth. Studies show that up to 50% of babies born to infected mothers contract eye infections.
Can trachoma be treated?
Yes! If detected early, trachoma is completely treatable with antibiotics.
Doctors usually prescribe:
- Oral azithromycin (a powerful antibiotic that kills the bacteria inside the body).
- Tetracycline eye ointment, which is applied directly to the eyes to fight the infection.
For severe cases where eyelashes have turned inward and scratch the eye (trachomatous trichiasis), surgery can be done to correct the eyelid and prevent further damage. In cases of complete blindness due to corneal scarring, a corneal transplant may help restore some vision.
How can we prevent trachoma?
Preventing trachoma is simple and depends on good hygiene and improved living conditions. The WHO recommends the SAFE strategy:
- Surgery for people with advanced disease to prevent blindness.
- Antibiotics to treat active infections.
- Face washing to remove bacteria and stop the spread.
- Environmental improvements like proper sanitation and reducing fly populations.
In practical terms, you can prevent trachoma by:
- Washing your face and hands with clean water regularly.
- Keeping flies away by covering food and disposing of waste properly.
- Avoiding sharing towels, handkerchiefs, and bedsheets with infected individuals.
Ensuring pregnant women get tested and treated for chlamydia before childbirth.