Trachoma
Group members
Ambreen Imtiaz
Aneela asghar
Fahmeeda Shar
Areeba saleem
Teacher: Sir Pir Bux Jokhio
OBJECTIVE
• Define trachoma.
• Transmission of trachoma
• Symptoms of trachoma
• Stages of trachoma
• Life cycle of trachoma
• Diagnosis of trachoma
• Treatment of trachoma
• Prevention of trachoma
TRACHOMA
• Trachoma is an eye infection caused by bacteria
(Chlamydia trachomatis). It spreads through contact
with infected people or contaminated objects. If
not treated, it can cause eyelid scarring, leading to
blindness. It is preventable with good hygiene and
treatable with antibiotics.
TRANSMISSION
• Trachoma is transmitted through:
• 1. Direct contact – Touching the eyes, nose, or tears
of an infected person.
• 2. Contaminated objects – Sharing towels,
handkerchiefs, or clothes.
• 3. Flies – Certain flies can carry the bacteria from an
infected person's eyes to others.
• 4. Poor hygiene – Lack of clean water and sanitation
increases the spread.
• Good hygiene, handwashing, and facial cleanliness
help prevent transmission.
SYMPTOMS
• The symptoms of trachoma include:
• 1. Early Symptoms:
• Red and irritated eyes
• Watery or mucous eye discharge
• Swollen eyelids
• Itchy or painful eyes
• Sensitivity to light
• 2. Severe Symptoms (from repeated infections):
• Eyelid scarring
• Inward-growing eyelashes (trichiasis)
• Corneal damage
• Vision loss or blindness
• Early treatment with antibiotics can prevent serious
STAGES
• Trachoma has five stages:
• 1. Follicular inflammation (TF): Small bumps
(follicles) on the inner eyelid.
• 2. Intense inflammation (TI): Swollen, red eyelid
with discharge.
• 3. Scarring (TS): Inner eyelid develops scars from
repeated infections.
• 4. Trichiasis (TT): Eyelashes turn inward, scratching
the eye.
• 5. Corneal opacity (CO): Cornea becomes cloudy,
leading to blindness.
• Early treatment can prevent severe stages.
LIFE CYCLE
• The life cycle of Chlamydia trachomatis (trachoma
bacteria) includes:
• 1. Entry: Bacteria enter the eye through contact,
contaminated objects, or flies.
• 2. Infection: Bacteria invade eye cells and start growing.
• 3. Multiplication: Inside the cells, bacteria multiply and
turn into infectious forms.
• 4. Spread: Infected cells burst, releasing bacteria to
spread and reinfect.
• 5. Reinfection: Repeated infections cause eye damage,
leading to scarring and blindness.
• Good hygiene and antibiotics help stop the cycle.
DIAGNOSIS
• The diagnosis of trachoma is based on:
• 1. Clinical Examination:
• Eye doctors check for signs like redness, swelling,
discharge, eyelid scarring, or inward-growing
eyelashes (trichiasis).
• 2. Laboratory Tests (if needed):
• Swabs from the eye can be tested for Chlamydia
trachomatis using microscopy, PCR (polymerase
chain reaction), or other lab methods.
• Early diagnosis helps prevent complications like
blindness.
TREATMENT
• The treatment of trachoma follows the SAFE strategy
recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO):
• 1. Surgery – For severe cases with eyelid scarring and
inward-growing eyelashes (trichiasis) to prevent blindness.
• 2. Antibiotics – Azithromycin (single oral dose) or
tetracycline eye ointment to eliminate the bacterial
infection.
• 3. Facial cleanliness – Regular face washing to reduce
bacteria spread.
• 4. Environmental improvement – Better sanitation, clean
water, and reduced fly breeding to prevent reinfection.
• Early treatment with antibiotics helps prevent severe
complications.
Nursing Care
1. Assessment: Check for eye redness, discharge, and eyelid
scarring.
2. Treatment: Give antibiotics, assist with eye cleaning, and
support surgery if needed.
3. Hygiene Promotion: Teach proper face washing and hand
hygiene.
4. Environmental Care: Encourage clean water, sanitation,
and fly control.
5. Health Education: Inform patients and communities about
prevention and early treatment.
Nurses help prevent, treat, and educate to stop trachoma
and avoid blindness.
References
1. World Health Organization (WHO). (2024). Trachoma: Key Facts and SAFE
Strategy. Retrieved from https://www.who.int
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2024). Trachoma – Causes,
Symptoms, and Prevention. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov
3. Kanski, J. J., & Bowling, B. (2015). Kanski’s Clinical Ophthalmology: A Systematic
App.roach (8th ed.). Elsevis
