What is trachoma, major of cause of blindness that has now been eliminated in India? Know symptoms, prevention and cure

The World Health Organisation has declared that India has eliminated trachoma as a public health issue. Here is all you need to know about the bacterial eye infection.

India has been felicitated to have successfully eliminated trachoma, a major cause of blindness, as public health concern. India joins Nepal and Myanmar in the WHO South-East Asia Region and 19 other countries globally that have previously achieved this feat.“India’s elimination of trachoma as a public health problem is a testimony to the country’s commitment to alleviating the suffering that millions have faced from this debilitating disease,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “WHO has worked closely with India to realize this achievement, and we congratulate the government, health workers and partners who have collaborated to make it possible.”

Excellent news: #India has eliminated #trachoma, a debilitating disease which previously afflicted millions in 🇮🇳.

Congratulations to health workers, communities, the government and partners who collaborated to make it possible. #RC77 @narendramodi https://t.co/DjgYI9boA2 pic.twitter.com/8UTr2flz24

— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) October 8, 2024

What is trachoma?

Trachoma, a leading cause of infectious blindness, is a chlamydial infection that happens due to lack of hygiene and unclean water supply and can spread by contact with the eye, nose or throat secretions of a person suffering from the disease or indirectly via flies.

Risk factors and causes of trachoma:

• Poor hygiene
• Overcrowded households
• Inadequate access to water
• Poor sanitation

Trachoma symptoms

• Redness in eyes
• Swollen eyelids
• Blurred vision
• Frequent water discharge

WHO recommends a SAFE strategy to combat trachoma.

• Surgery to treat the blinding stage (trachomatous trichiasis)-
• Antibiotics to clear the infection, particularly mass drug administration of the antibiotic azithromycin, which is donated by the manufacturer, Pfizer, to elimination programmes, through the International Trachoma Initiative
• Facial cleanliness
• Environmental improvement, particularly improving access to water and sanitation.

When detected at early stage, it may be treated with antibiotics. At advanced stage, one may require a surgery or a corneal surgery as well.