It is an infectious disease that can cause swelling of the outermost covering of the eye called the conjunctiva, pain, and discharge from the eyes with itching. It spreads through touch, using common clothes, doorknobs used by the affected person, flies and domestic animals can be a cause of mechanical spread. Poor personal hygiene and lack of toilets and latrines is the cause of this blinding disease if left untreated.

It is the world's commonest cause of infectious eye diseases leading to blindness. It is currently existent in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and some parts of Latin America and Australia where it assumes endemic proportions by affecting preteen children and women.

Cause:

Bacteria by the name of Chlamydia Trachoma is are the cause of Trachoma.

Symptoms:

The symptoms include painful eyes, swollen eyelids, sticky, slimy discharge from the eyes, inward protraction of the eyelashes, itching of the eyes and ear, nose, and throat infection.

Type of Trachoma

Gastritis usually causes pain and/or burning in the upper abdomen or burning pain in the chest region. There may be loss of appetite or a sensation of fullness after a few mouthfuls. Gastritis can also cause belching (burps), nausea, vomiting, etc. The condition is more commonly seen in middle aged and elderly people though the occurrence in youngsters is on the rise nowadays.

1. Acute trachoma: It is frequently found in children who are dirty, dusty, and unhealthy. The symptoms include painful eyes, swollen eyelids, watery discharge from the eyes, and itching of the eyes with ear, nose, and throat infection. It usually affects one eye and gradually spreads to both eyes.
2. Recurring trachoma:If poor hygiene persists the person gets affected again and again.
3. Chronic Trachoma:It causes inward turning of the eyelid such that the eyelashes rub against the cornea. Gradually the symptoms persist and instead of resolving lead to chronic trachoma and leads to blindness between the age of 30 to 40 years if left untreated. If it does not lead to blindness, it leads to scarring of the cornea of the eye.

Prevention:

Maintaining good hygiene and sanitation are essential to prevent this disease in developing countries which has been eradicated from the developed countries. The steps include:

• Avoid physical contact with a person suffering from trachoma
• Personal cleanliness, especially of the face and hands is important.
• Washing hands and face frequently with soap and water is important even in children who are already infected to prevent re-infection.
• Keep separate towels, handkerchiefs, and linens for each member of the family.
• Wash hands after handling domestic animals.
• Keep the food covered and use latrines and toilets for defecation to prevent the breeding of flies.
• Avoid crowded places.

Conventional Treatment:

Azithromycin is used to treat the condition. Surgery is used to treat advanced stages of the disease.

It is one of the projects undertaken by WHO to eradicate blindness caused by Trachoma by 2020.

Homeopathic Treatment:

Homeopathy can play a major role in the treatment of the disease. It can treat acute and recurring stages of the disease, chronic trachoma needs surgical intervention. Blindness resulting from Trachoma cannot be treated using homeopathy, please note.