Description

Trachoma is a bacterial infection that affects the eyes. The bacteria that causes trachoma spreads through direct contact with eyes, eyelids, or nose of infected people. Trachoma is highly contagious and almost always affects both mata.Jika untreated can cause blindness. Trachoma is the leading cause of blindness worldwide. World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that about 8 million people around the world have been blind by trachoma.

Cause

Trachoma is caused by certain subtypes of Chlamydia trachomatis, a bacterium that can cause sexually transmitted diseases. Trachoma spreads through contact with secretions from the eyes or nose of an infected person. Hands, clothing, towels and insects can all be media dissemination.

Symptom

The main signs and symptoms in the early stage of trachoma is itching and irritation of the eyes and eyelids, and eyes that secrete mucus or pus. When it has deteriorated, will show signs such as: 1. Sensitive to light (photophobia) 2. Blurred vision 3. Eye pain Young children are particularly vulnerable to infection, but the disease progresses slowly, and the more painful symptoms may not appear until adulthood.

Treatment

Call your doctor if you or your child feel itching, irritation or discharge from the eyes, especially if you have recently traveled to an area epidemic trachoma. Treatment options depend on the stage of the disease trachoma. In the early stages of trachoma, treatment with antibiotics alone may be enough to eliminate the infection. Two drugs commonly used are tetracycline eye ointment and oral azithromycin (Zithromax). Surgery is the treatment of late stage of trachoma, which may require surgery. Sources: MayoClinic