Trachoma

Disease class: Corneal diseases

This refers to an infection of the eyelids with Chlamydia trachomatis.

Chronic infections often cause scarring and roughening of the eyelids and deformity.
The eyelids may turn inwards (entropion).
The eyelashes may touch the cornea (trichiasis) and cause irritation. The corneal inflammation causes ulceration, scarring, increased opacity, and eventual blindness.

 

Epidemiology

• This is one of the most common global causes of blindness.

Management

Medical

Antibiotic therapy can eradicate sensitive Chlamydia bacteria.

Surgical

The entropion can be corrected by bilamellar tarsal rotation with blepheroplasty. This can prevent progression of the corneal changes.

 

Etymology

From Greek τράχωμα (trākhōma), and τραχύς (trākhus), "rough".