TRACHOMA (Greek: roughness) / MedUrgent

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 TRACHOMA (Greek: roughness)






 

Trachoma is a leading cause of blindness in the world. It is caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis.

Pathogenesis: Chlamydia trachomatis is spread by flies and fomites through wet secretions from the eyes, nose and throat. A single attack may resolve spontaneously but repeated attacks end up with entropion, corneal ulceration and complete blindness.

Clinical

Incubation period is 5-7 days followed by conjunctival inflammation, appearance of conjunctival follicles in the under surface of the upper eye lid and watery discharge that may become purulent with secondary bacterial infection.

The condition is associated with intense itching, eye discharge, photophobia and local lymphadenopathy. Cicatricial trachoma is a late manifestation that includes distortion of the eye lid (entropion), trichiasis (eye lid hair scratching the cornea), corneal ulceration, scarring and blindness.







Treatment

 -Azithromycin 20mg/kg once oral

-Topical tetracycline ointment twice daily for 6 weeks

 -Surgery

Prevention

-Facial cleanliness

-Environmental sanitation and flies control

-Health education

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