What causes blindness in trachoma?
Trachoma is a disease of the eye caused by infection with the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. Blindness from trachoma is irreversible. It is a public health problem in 44 countries, and is responsible for the blindness or visual impairment of about 1.9 million people.
How does trachoma occur?
Trachoma is caused by certain subtypes of Chlamydia trachomatis, a bacterium that can also cause the sexually transmitted infection chlamydia. Trachoma spreads through contact with discharge from the eyes or nose of an infected person. Hands, clothing, towels and insects can all be routes for transmission.
What insect causes trachoma?
The fly species that is considered a likely vector of trachoma is the Bazaar Fly, or Musca sorbens, found widely in Africa, Asia and the Pacific. Female M.
Can bacterial eye infection cause blindness?
When an eye infection penetrates the inside of the eye, as with bacterial endophthalmitis, blindness can occur without immediate treatment — which usually includes strong antibiotics. This type of infection can happen after a serious eye injury or as a rare complication of an eye surgery, such as cataract surgery.
What causes river blindness?
Parasites – Onchocerciasis (also known as River Blindness) Onchocerciasis, or river blindness, is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) caused by the parasitic worm Onchocerca volvulus. It is transmitted through repeated bites by blackflies of the genus Simulium.
What is the main reason for the difficulty eliminating trachoma in different countries?
The distribution of trachoma corresponded with that of poverty in much of Africa and Asia. The risk for the disease was defined by conditions that facilitate transmission of the infecting organism—Chlamydia trachomatis—such as household crowding and limited access to and use of water.
Can trachoma be cured?
In the early stages of trachoma, treatment with antibiotics alone may be enough to eliminate the infection. Your doctor may prescribe tetracycline eye ointment or oral azithromycin (Zithromax).
How do you cure trachoma?
Medications. In the early stages of trachoma, treatment with antibiotics alone may be enough to eliminate the infection. Your doctor may prescribe tetracycline eye ointment or oral azithromycin (Zithromax). Azithromycin appears to be more effective than tetracycline, but it’s more expensive.
Can a virus cause blindness?
Type of viral infection of eye associated with disease causing blindness in the elderly. Summary: Scientists have found that a type of herpesvirus infection of the eye is associated with neovascular age-related macular degeneration, a disease that causes blindness in the elderly.
What causes blindness in Africa?
Onchocerciasis, commonly known as “river blindness”, is caused by the parasitic worm Onchocerca volvulus. Symptoms include severe itching, disfiguring skin conditions, and visual impairment, including permanent blindness. More than 99% of infected people live in 31 African countries.
Is trachoma caused by a parasitic worm?
Trachoma is a disease of the eye and the leading infectious cause of blindness worldwide. It is caused by an obligate intracellular bacterium called Chlamydia trachomatis.
How is trachoma disease and how does it cause blindness?
Trachoma is an infectious eye disease and one of the leading causes of blindness globally. If left untreated it can develop into trichiasis – a painful condition where the eyelids turn inwards and the eyelashes rub against the surface of the eye leading to irreversible blindness.
How many people are affected by trachoma in the world?
Key facts Trachoma is a disease of the eye caused by infection with the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. It is known to be a public health problem in 37 countries, and is responsible for the blindness or visual impairment of about 1.9 million people.
How is trachoma transmitted from person to person?
Trachoma is contagious, spreading through contact with the eyes, eyelids, and nose or throat secretions of infected people. It can also be passed on by handling infected items, such as handkerchiefs. At first, trachoma may cause mild itching and irritation of your eyes and eyelids. Then you may notice swollen eyelids and pus draining from the eyes.
What happens if you have an untreated trachoma?
At first, trachoma may cause mild itching and irritation of your eyes and eyelids. Then you may notice swollen eyelids and pus draining from the eyes. Untreated trachoma can lead to blindness.