Trachoma

This week we are looking at an eye condition I haven’t heard of it is Trachoma which is a bacterial eye infection caused by Chlamydia trachomatis.

It’s one of the world’s leading preventable causes of blindness, and while rare in most developed countries, it still occurs in remote Australian communities, especially among Aboriginal children.

Trachoma is an infectious disease of the conjunctiva (the inner surface of the eyelid). Repeated infections over many years cause scarring, which can eventually make the eyelid turn inward, so the eyelashes scrape the cornea this is a painful condition called trichiasis. Without treatment, this can lead to corneal damage and blindness.

It is spread through eye and nose secretions from infected people. As in direct contact of hands, faces and close play, as well as sharing towels, bedding, or face cloths. Then there is a way you may not think of and that’s flies that land on infected eyes and then on others

It thrives in places like overcrowded housing, limited access to clean water resulting in difficulty with face‑washing and other hygiene

Symptoms vary by stage and often start mild, especially in children. Early symptoms include itchy, irritated eyes, redness, a sticky discharge and swollen eyelids.

Then there are the symptoms after long‑term progression which happens if untreated, these are scarring of the inner eyelid, the eyelid turning inward, eyelashes scraping the cornea, corneal clouding then vision loss or blindness.

Who is most at risk, well young children and women in affected communities due to close contact with children.

In Australia, trachoma is found almost exclusively in remote Aboriginal communities, making Australia the only developed country where blinding trachoma still occurs.

This condition is treatable, especially in early stages with a single dose of the antibiotic azithromycin, all household contacts should be treated at the same time to stop reinfection.

The longer it is left untreated the more advanced disease becomes trichiasis which may require surgery to correct the eyelid position.