New Delhi: When we think of blindness, conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, or retinal diseases often come to mind. However, there is another cause — less talked about but equally devastating — that begins with something as seemingly harmless as a bacterial infection. This condition is trachoma, a preventable yet leading cause of infectious blindness worldwide.
What is Trachoma?
Trachoma is an eye infection caused by the organism, Chlamydia trachomatis. It spreads through direct contact with the eye or nasal discharge of an infected person, often via hands, clothing, towels, or even flies that have come into contact with infected secretions. It is most common in areas with poor sanitation, limited access to clean water, and crowded living conditions.
The infection primarily affects the conjunctiva — the thin, transparent membrane covering the white part of the eye and the inside of the eyelids. While the early stages may seem mild, repeated or untreated infections can cause severe and irreversible damage.
How Trachoma Leads to Blindness, as shared by Dr. Sudipto Pakrasi, Chairman, Ophthalmology, Medanta. The real danger of trachoma lies in its chronic nature. Repeated infections cause the inner surface of the eyelid to become scarred. Over time, this scarring can cause the eyelid to turn inward — a condition known as trichiasis. When this happens, the eyelashes rub against the cornea (the clear front surface of the eye), leading to constant irritation, pain, and corneal damage.
If left untreated, the cornea becomes clouded and scarred, resulting in partial or complete blindness. This process can take years, which is why trachoma often affects adults who were infected repeatedly as children.
Symptoms to Watch Out For
In its early stages, trachoma may present symptoms similar to common eye infections:
– Redness and irritation in the eyes
– Discharge from the eyes
– Swelling of the eyelids
– Sensitivity to light
– Eye pain
As the disease progresses, symptoms can include:
– Inward turning of the eyelids (trichiasis)
– Visible scarring on the inner eyelid
– Blurred vision
– Gradual loss of sight
Who is at Risk?
Trachoma is most prevalent in rural, impoverished communities in parts of Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America. Children are particularly vulnerable because they are more likely to come into close contact with others and have poorer hygiene practices. Women are also disproportionately affected, often due to their close contact with children.
Prevention and Treatment
The good news is that trachoma is both preventable and treatable, especially in its early stages.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends the SAFE strategy:
– Surgery for advanced stages (to correct trichiasis)
– Antibiotics to clear infection (azithromycin is commonly used)
– Facial cleanliness to reduce transmission
– Environmental improvement, such as better sanitation and access to clean water
– Early antibiotic treatment can stop the infection and prevent long-term damage. Surgery can correct eyelid deformities and prevent further corneal injury in advanced cases.
