However, the diagnosis can be confirmed by Giemsa staining of conjunctival scrapings which will demonstrate intra-cytoplasmic inclusion bodies. Treatment of acute trachoma is straight forward. Systemic therapy with oral tetracycline 1.0 - 1.5 g daily or oral doxycycline100 mg bid for two weeks is usually curative. Topical antibiotics are not necessary if systemic antibiotics are given. If the patient is a child or a pregnant woman, systemic erythromycin may be substituted.
Longstanding trachoma is a much more difficult condition to manage.
Surgery to repair lid deformities and corneal transplants are potential options, but are unavailable to the populations afflicted with trachoma. In those, countries prevention is the only treatment. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of the Digital Journal of Ophthalmology is prohibited.