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Trachoma
Trachoma, a disease caused by bacteria called Chlamydia trachomatis, affects more than 80 million individuals worldwide, and 8 million persons are blind because of this infection. Inflammation of the conjunctiva (lining of the eye surface) causes irritation and scarring, leading to blindness if trachoma is not treated. Trachoma is a serious public health problem in developing countries. Better sanitation and improved clean water supplies are ways to decrease the prevalence of trachoma and reduce trachoma-related blindness. Trachoma occurs in children as well as adults in all parts of the world. Women are much more likely than men to develop trachoma or become blind from trachoma. In the United States, blindness due to trachoma has been eliminated because of widespread prevention and treatment efforts. Since trachoma is a contagious disease, it can occur in family groups or in persons who live in close quarters. The bacteria are spread by secretions from the eye or the nose and pass from person to person. Flies can also pass on the bacteria, especially in areas that have poor sanitation. The September 2, 2009, issue of JAMA includes an article about the effects of mass distribution of an antibiotic for treatment and prevention of trachoma.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
- Eye redness
- Purulent (pus) drainage from the eye
- Eye irritation or pain
- Poor vision or visual loss
- Photophobia (sensitivity to light)
- Inverted (turned under) eyelashes (trichiasis) or eyelids (entropion)
TREATMENT AND PREVENTION
- Antibiotics, in oral form or in eye ointment, can be used to treat trachoma. Preventing trachoma in larger populations can also be done by administering antibiotics to persons who do not yet show active signs of the disease.
- Surgical treatment may be necessary to correct the inversion of eyelashes caused by scarring. Permanent eye damage can occur from irritation and inflammation and can be made worse by eyelid inversion.
- Improved sanitation, better water supplies, and more hygienic living conditions all may help to reduce trachoma and its main complication, blindness.
- Eye products, including cosmetics, ointments, or contact lenses, should never be shared.
- There is currently no vaccine available for trachoma.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
INFORM YOURSELF
To find this and previous JAMA Patient Pages, go to the Patient Page link on JAMA's Web site at http://www.jama.com. Many are available in English and Spanish. A Patient Page on causes of visual impairment was published in the October 15, 2003, issue.
Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization, National Eye Institute, Lighthouse International, American Academy of Ophthalmology
The JAMA Patient Page is a public service of JAMA. The information and recommendations appearing on this page are appropriate in most instances, but they are not a substitute for medical diagnosis. For specific information concerning your personal medical condition, JAMA suggests that you consult your physician. This page may be photocopied noncommercially by physicians and other health care professionals to share with patients. To purchase bulk reprints, call 312/464-0776.
TOPIC: INFECTIOUS DISEASES
Janet M. Torpy, MD, Writer;
Alison E. Burke, MA, Illustrator;
Richard M. Glass, MD, Editor
JAMA. 2009;302(9):1022.
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RELATED ARTICLE
Effect of Mass Distribution of Azithromycin for Trachoma Control on Overall Mortality in Ethiopian Children: A Randomized Trial
Travis C. Porco, Teshome Gebre, Berhan Ayele, Jenafir House, Jeremy Keenan, Zhaoxia Zhou, Kevin Cyrus Hong, Nicole Stoller, Kathryn J. Ray, Paul Emerson, Bruce D. Gaynor, and Thomas M. Lietman
JAMA. 2009;302(9):962-968.
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