Overview
Trachoma is a long-term bacterial eye infection that, with repeated attacks over years, scars the inner eyelid and turns the eyelashes inward to scratch the eye, eventually causing blindness. It spreads through contact with the eye and nose discharge of infected people, often via hands, shared cloths and flies, in areas with limited water and sanitation. India has worked hard to eliminate it. It is preventable and, caught early, treatable with antibiotics and simple hygiene.
Symptoms
- Red, irritated eyes with discharge early on
- A gritty feeling and watering
- Swollen eyelids
- Repeated eye infections over months and years
- In-turned eyelashes and pain scratching the eye in late stages
When to see a doctor
See an eye doctor for repeated eye infections, or if eyelashes turn inward and scratch the eye — early treatment protects sight.
Causes
Repeated infection with Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria, spread by contact with eye and nose discharge, shared cloths and flies where water is scarce.