Trachoma overview

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Trachoma is an infectious eye disease, and the leading cause of the world’s preventable blindness.

Trachoma is caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis and it is spread by direct contact with eye, nose, and throat secretions from affected individuals, or contact with fomites (inanimate objects), such as towels and/or washcloths, that have had similar contact with these secretions.

An eye exam may reveal scarring on the inside of the upper eye lid, redness of the white part of the eyes, and new blood vessel growth into the cornea.

Antibiotics can prevent long-term complications if used early in the infection. Antibiotics include erythromycin and doxycycline. In certain cases, eyelid surgery may be needed to prevent long-term scarring, which can lead to blindness if not corrected.

Globally this disease results in an estimated US $2.9 billion in lost productivity every year by affecting 84 million people from active infection and nearly 8 million people, who are visually impaired as a result of this disease.

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