Trachoma Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Definition
Trachoma is a type of eye infection that can cause blindness. Trachoma usually begins with itching and irritation of the eyelids. The bacterium itself can spread through direct contact with the eyes, eyelids, nose and throat secretions of an infected person.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), trachoma causes blindness in 2.2 million people worldwide. Trachoma mostly affects children aged 3-5 years. Whereas in adults, those who are female are known to be more often affected by trachoma than men.
This disease is highly contagious and almost always affects both eyes. The good news is that blindness due to trachoma can be prevented if this condition is treated promptly and appropriately.
Trachoma Symptom
In its early stages, trachoma causes conjunctivitis (inflammation of the lining of the eye) which is characterized by red and watery eyes, but vision is not disturbed. Not infrequently, there are also complaints of itching in the eyes and eyelids. In advanced stages, over time you will feel pain in the eyes and the sharpness of vision will decrease.
If not treated promptly, scar tissue (scar) will form in the eyelids. The existence of this scar tissue causes the eyelashes to be pulled inward and puncture the lining of the eyeball. Eyelashes that point inward to the eyeball are called trichiasis.
Prolonged trichiasis will injure the membranes covering the eyeball and the cornea. As a result, the cornea will become cloudy, experience deep wounds, and can lead to loss of vision.
Trachoma Reason
The cause of trachoma is the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. This bacterium can infect the eye if someone exchanges clothes or towels with a trachoma patient. Unsanitary environmental conditions, lack of clean water, and use of shared latrines can increase the risk of transmission of this disease.
In addition, Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria can also be spread by flies. If flies that carry the bacteria stick to a person’s hands or in the area around the eyes, then that person can also be infected with the bacteria and experience trachoma.
Diagnosis
Doctors can find out the presence of trachoma based on a detailed medical interview which is useful for knowing the symptoms that appear and physical examination. A thorough physical examination is carried out on the affected eye.
In general, sufferers do not need laboratory tests or other additional tests. Except for research purposes, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) examination is sometimes necessary.
Trachoma Treatment
To treat trachoma, WHO implements the SAFE strategy, namely Surgical care, Antibiotics, Facial cleanliness, and Environmental improvement as follows:
- Surgery ( surgical care )
Operations performed to treat trichiasis. The operation is carried out by reconstructing the eyelids so that the eyelashes no longer grow inward. - Antibiotics
To kill the Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria that causes trachoma, WHO recommends two types of antibiotics, namely azithromycin in the form of swallowed tablets and tetracycline eye ointment. The use of antibiotics must use a doctor’s prescription and the patient’s condition must also be under the supervision of a doctor. - Maintaining facial cleanliness ( facial cleanliness )
WHO recommends washing your face with clean running water and mild soap to inhibit the growth of trachoma-causing bacteria. - Improving the environment ( environmental improvement )
To prevent the spread of bacteria and create a healthy environment, cooperation between local authorities, local communities, and families of trachoma patients is needed. A healthy environment that needs to be strived for is an environment that has enough clean water and is free from flies.
Prevention
Efforts that can be made to prevent trachoma are by keeping the environment clean, body hygiene, and trying to keep the surrounding environment clean. By doing these things, it is hoped that various transmissions of bacterial diseases can be minimized. Including, of course, the transmission of trachoma.