Trachoma: Difference between revisions
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'''Trachoma''' ([[ Ancient Greek]]: "rough eye") is an [[eye]] disease which may result in [[blindness]] |
'''Trachoma''' ([[ Ancient Greek]]: "rough eye") is an [[eye]] [[disease]] which may result in [[blindness]]. It is caused by the bacteria ''Italic text''[[Chlamydia]] trachomatis and it is spread by direct contact with eye, nose, and throat [[secretions]] from affected individuals, or contact with objects, such as towels and/or washcloths, that have had similar contact with said secretions. The bacteria has an incubation period of 5 to 12 days, after which the affected individual experiences symptoms of [[conjunctivitis]], or irritation similar to "[[pink eye]]." |
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Further symptoms include: |
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- Eye [[discharge]] |
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- Swollen eyelids |
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- Turned-in eyelashes |
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- Swelling of [[lymph nodes]] in front of the ears |
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- [[Cloudy cornea]] |
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If not treated properly with [[oral antibiotics]], the symptoms may escalate and cause blindness, which is the result of [[ulceration]] and consequent scarring of the [[cornea]]. [[Surgery]] may also be necessary to fix eyelid deformities. |
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The disease is one of the earliest recorded eye afflictions, having been identified as early as 27 B.C. It is the leading cause of blindness worldwide and currently afflicts over 400 million people, most of whom live primarily in underdeveloped and poverty-stricken countries in [[Africa]], the [[Middle-East]], and [[Asia]]. Rare in the United States, the disease can be treated with [[antibiotics]] and prevented with adequate [[hygiene]] and education. |
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Amongst the most important contributions in the field, are those of Dr. [[Vincent Tabone]]. He discovered that the use of antibiotics to cure the disease was essential. |
Amongst the most important contributions in the field, are those of Dr. [[Vincent Tabone]]. He discovered that the use of antibiotics to cure the disease was essential. |
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* [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001486.htm NIH/Medline Plus] |
* [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001486.htm NIH/Medline Plus] |
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* [http://www.emedicine.com/oph/topic118.htm eMedicine] |
* [http://www.emedicine.com/oph/topic118.htm eMedicine] |
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* [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001486.htm] |
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*[http://www.unilever.com/ourvalues/environmentandsociety/shortstories/Blindness_and_Babysitting/ Blindness and Babysitting] |
*[http://www.unilever.com/ourvalues/environmentandsociety/shortstories/Blindness_and_Babysitting/ Blindness and Babysitting] |
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Revision as of 23:05, 25 January 2006
| Trachoma | |
|---|---|
| Specialty | Infectious diseases, ophthalmology  |
Trachoma (Ancient Greek: "rough eye") is an eye disease which may result in blindness. It is caused by the bacteria Italic textChlamydia trachomatis and it is spread by direct contact with eye, nose, and throat secretions from affected individuals, or contact with objects, such as towels and/or washcloths, that have had similar contact with said secretions. The bacteria has an incubation period of 5 to 12 days, after which the affected individual experiences symptoms of conjunctivitis, or irritation similar to "pink eye."
Further symptoms include: - Eye discharge - Swollen eyelids - Turned-in eyelashes - Swelling of lymph nodes in front of the ears - Cloudy cornea
If not treated properly with oral antibiotics, the symptoms may escalate and cause blindness, which is the result of ulceration and consequent scarring of the cornea. Surgery may also be necessary to fix eyelid deformities.
The disease is one of the earliest recorded eye afflictions, having been identified as early as 27 B.C. It is the leading cause of blindness worldwide and currently afflicts over 400 million people, most of whom live primarily in underdeveloped and poverty-stricken countries in Africa, the Middle-East, and Asia. Rare in the United States, the disease can be treated with antibiotics and prevented with adequate hygiene and education.
Amongst the most important contributions in the field, are those of Dr. Vincent Tabone. He discovered that the use of antibiotics to cure the disease was essential.