What is trachoma?What is a bacterial infection?What type of bacteria infect the eye in trachoma?How is trachoma spread?What are symptoms of trachoma?What is trichiasis?How is trachoma diagnosed?How is trachoma treated?How is the disease treated in its advanced stages?Should I be worried about trachoma?What is trachoma?
Trachoma is a highly contagious eye disease caused by a bacterial infection. Most people living in Canada or the United States probably haven’t even heard the word “trachoma” before, and would surprised to hear that it is the leading cause of preventable blindness in the world today. Up to 400 million people are affected by the disease; however most of these people live in poor and underdeveloped nations of Africa, Asia and the Middle East where sanitation and cleanliness are poor.
What is a bacterial infection?
Bacteria are tiny organisms that are present virtually everywhere; they live in the air, on the ground, in water, on our skin and even in our gut. Most bacteria are not dangerous to us; in fact we rely on bacteria in our gut to help digest our food. However, other bacteria are a hazard to us; when these bacteria grown on or in or bodies, it is called an infection. Bacteria infections are usually quickly cleared by our immune system, but in other cases they can cause illness and even death. Trachoma is a bacterial infection of the eye.
What type of bacteria infect the eye in trachoma?
A patient with trachoma has an infection from the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis. This bacteria is also known to cause health problems in the genital area.
How is trachoma spread?
Trachoma is spread by direct contact with fluid from the eyes, nose or mouth. This fluid exchange can occur directly between two people, or through intermediates like towels, washcloths and insects.
What are symptoms of trachoma?
After someone has been exposed to the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis, it takes about 1-2 weeks to develop symptoms. At first, symptoms of trachoma are similar to that of the eye disease conjunctivitis, or “pink-eye.” These symptoms include:
If left untreated, most cases of trachoma will be fought off by our immune system within a matter of days or weeks. However, in regions where sanitation and clean drinking water is scarce, a vicious cycle of infection and reinfection can occur. This can start at a young age and continue all the way into adulthood, leading to a condition called trichiasis.
What is trichiasis?
Trichiasis is the medical term for ingrown eyelashes. Over years of infection and reinfection beginning in childhood, trachoma can cause eyelid damage that leads to the eyelids turning in. This usually does not occur until about the age of 35. Trichiasis is very uncomfortable, especially in hot, sunny or smoky environments. If the condition is left untreated, the eyelashes will rub against the clear front of the eye (the cornea) and cause scarring that clouds vision and eventually leads to blindness.
How is trachoma diagnosed?
There are many eye diseases that can cause redness, irritation and itching of the eyes. Trachoma is best diagnosed by taking a bacteria culture of the eye. Presence of the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis most likely signifies trachoma.
How is trachoma treated?
The best way to treat trachoma is to prevent it in the first place. In regions where trachoma is still present, poor sanitation and cleanliness are mostly to blame. Taking care to wash hands and not share facecloths can severely reduce the chances of infection.
If infection by Chlamydia trachomatis does occur, antibiotic eye drops can quickly kill the bacteria.
How is the disease treated in its advanced stages?
As mentioned, repeated episodes of trachoma can lead to the eyelids turning in and rubbing the eyelashes against the cornea. Once this occurs, eyelid surgery is required to prevent further damage to the eye. If damage to the cornea has already occurred, the only treatment option to improve vision is a cornea transplant. Sadly, cornea transplants are not usually available in poor and underdeveloped nations and people do not regain vision.
Should I be worried about trachoma?
Fortunately, there is little need to be worried about trachoma living in the developed world. Preventative measures have all but obliterated the disease, and if one does contract trachoma it can be treated easily and no long-term damage will occur if the treatment is prompt.
