Trachoma

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Trachoma is a chronic keratoconjunctivitis caused by Chlamydia trachomatis, serotypes A, B, Ba and C. It is the most common cause of treatable blindness - it is estimated that 500 million people worldwide are infected and 8 million have become blind as a result of the disease.

Transmission
Areas with poor levels of hygiene, polluted water, large population concentration - endemic in Africa, Asia, South America, outside the developing world rarely. It is transmitted by contact with the patient's secretions (typically with dirty hands in the eyes ), indirectly by laundry or through insects (flies) and droplets.

Etiopathogenesis

 * Inflammatory stage

It usually takes place in childhood. Whitish nodules (follicular grains) are formed on the conjunctiva and in the area of ​​the cornea -sclera junction.


 * Hypertrophic stage

Enlargement of follicular grains. A vascularized white membrane (trachoma pannus) grows across the cornea.

Scarred stage

In adulthood, necrotic scars on the conjunctiva develop. The follicles disappear by resorption or scarring.

As a result of the scarring, the eyelid twists inward (entropion), then the lashes abrad the cornea, which leads to its clouding and even blindness. Secondary bacterial infections complicate the condition of the eye.

Treatment
Topical treatment with tetracycline ointment, total treatment with azithromycin or erythromycin.

Strict personal hygiene and early antibiotic treatment are important treatment measures. Treatment is usually successful, but all family members must be treated. If the treatment does not take place in time, surgery is started (eyelid plastic surgery).

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