13/06/2026
TRACHOMA
It is a bacterial infection that affects your eyes. It's caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. Trachoma is contagious, spreading through contact with the eyes, eyelids, and nose or throat secretions of infected people. It can also be passed on by handling infected items, such as handkerchiefs.
At first, trachoma may cause mild itching and irritation of your eyes and eyelids. Then you may notice swollen eyelids and pus draining from the eyes. Untreated trachoma can lead to blindness.
Signs and symptoms of trachoma usually affect both eyes and may include:
◇Mild itching and irritation of the eyes and eyelids
◇Discharge from the eyes containing mucus or pus
◇Eyelid swelling
◇Light sensitivity (photophobia)
◇Eye pain
Young children are particularly susceptible to infection. But the disease progresses slowly, and the more painful symptoms may not emerge until Adulthood
No trachoma vaccine is available, but prevention is possible. The World Health Organization (WHO) has developed The strategy, titled SAFE, involves:
to treat advanced forms of trachoma
to treat and prevent the infection
cleanliness
improvements, particularly in water, sanitation and fly control.
The Clinician