Trachoma – causes and prevention
March 07, 2021Trachoma is a chronic inflammation of the outer layer of tissue of the eye and eyelid (conjunctiva). The cause of the disease is due to:
- Trachoma is caused by a small parasitic bacteria called Chlamydia trachomatis, especially due to poor hygiene, using contaminated water sources, creating conditions for bacteria to infect and cause disease.
- Trachoma is transmitted through direct or indirect contact with secretions from the eye, nose or throat or people with trachoma. In addition, the disease can also be spread indirectly through insects such as flies...
Trachoma - causes and prevention
Depending on the severity of the patient's condition, there may or may not be any symptoms. In some cases, the disease is very severe, the duration of the disease is long and leaves many extremely dangerous complications, even leading to blindness. Common symptoms of trachoma include:
– Itchy eyes as if there is dust in the eyes.
– The eyes are slightly sore and feel irritated.
– When reading or using a computer, the eyes are easily tired, especially in the afternoon.
– When the disease is mild, also known as simple trachoma, these lesions often appear in the conjunctival epithelium. The patient has no symptoms, if any, they are only signs such as mild eye itching, eye irritation and eye fatigue, sometimes watery eyes. The disease can heal itself if hygiene is maintained and reinfection is prevented. The disease does not leave sequelae and especially does not cause blindness.
- As for the disease in its severe form, causing damage that penetrates deep into the layers below the conjunctiva, the disease can cause many complications such as trichiasis, ciliary palsy or corneal scarring, the most serious of which can lead to blindness.