By ULY CLINIC

 

Trachoma 

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Introduction

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It is a chronic conjunctivitis caused by infection with Chlamydia trachomatis (bacteria). It is one of the commonest causes of blindness worldwide. There is a chronic inflammation of the conjunctiva leading to scarring of the upper eyelid tarsal plate, entropion and in turn of eyelashes.   

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Diagnostic Criteria

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• Patients presents with photophobia in early stages or re-infection 

• Follicles in the upper tarsal plate seen as round and white nodules in active diagnostic.

• In late stages, in-turned eyelashes rub on the cornea leading to corneal ulcers 

• Loss of vision due to Corneal scarring.   

 

Clinical Stages

 

Clinical Stages according to World Health Organization

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• Trachomatous Inflammation Follicular (TF) - Presence of at least 5 follicles on the upper tarsal plate

• Trachomatous Inflammation Intense (TI) – There is intense inflammation, the conjunctival blood vessels cannot be seen.

• Trachomatous Scarring (TS) – Presence of white scars in the upper tarsal plate

• Trachomatous Trichiasis (TT) – Presence of some eye lashes rubbing against the cornea

• Corneal Opacity (CO) – Presence of corneal opacity (scar) affecting the central cornea   

 

Non-Pharmacological Treatment

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• Face washing and total body hygiene to prevent transmission of disease from one person to the other

• Environmental improvement/hygiene 

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Pharmacological Treatment  

 

• Oxytetracycline ointment 3% once a day for 6 weeks     

OR 

• Azithromycin 1g as a single dose for adults- for preventive chemotherapy in mass treatment campaign 

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Dosage of azithromycin in children