Trachoma is an infectious disease that affects the eyes. The infection is caused by a bacteria that enters the body through direct contact with the nose, eyes or throat secretions. The highly contagious disease typically affects both eyes and, left untreated, can lead to blindness. The disease is the number one cause of preventable blindness in the world and has affected more than 8 million people globally. Although it is rare in Western countries, prevalence among children in developing countries can be as high as 40 percent.
Eye problems develop soon after the disease is contracted. In the early stages of trachoma, the eyes develop microscopic follicles on the upper eyelid's inner surface. The eye then becomes irritated and the eyelid begins to swell and become irritated. These eye problems may inspire the infected person to rub his or her eyes, but the infection is highly contagious once inflammation is present. Touching the eyes during this stage is one of the primary trachoma causes.
The eyelid may become scarred due to repeated irritation. These scars may distort the eyelids and cause them to turn in on themselves. As the infection progresses, the eyelids continue to become more deformed. Once the eyelids are almost completely turned in, the eyelashes scratch the corneas. This scratching can cause inflammation of the cornea and lead to ulcers or partial or complete blindness.
The infection is caused by certain subtypes of the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis. The same bacteria also causes chlamydia, a sexually transmitted disease. The highly contagious bacteria spreads when a person comes in contact with discharge from the nose or eyes of an infected person. The bacteria can easily spread from contact with contaminated clothing, towels or hands. In the developing world, flies can also transmit the bacteria and are one of the leading trachoma causes.
Trachoma primarily affects extremely poor populations in developing countries. People in these countries are more likely to live in crowded living conditions that facilitate close contact and a greater risk of spreading disease. Poor sanitation systems are also responsible for spreading the disease rapidly.
The infection is most common in children ages three to six. Children may be at a greater risk for developing eye problems because of their less-resistant immune systems and tendency to touch the eyes. Women suffer from trachoma more often than men and are also blinded by the infection more often.
Households that are located far from clean water sources are more likely to experience trachoma because of poor access to sanitation. The absence of working latrines can also lead to increased exposure to the bacteria that causes trachoma. Additionally, people that live in areas that are infested with flies are more likely to develop the infection.
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