Trachoma is most common in Africa, the Middle East and parts of Asia and infects more than 150 million people, worldwide. Trachoma, is caused by strains of chlamydia and it is estimated 6 million people worldwide have been blinded . Trachoma is outranked only by cataracts as a cause of blindness. Over the years, trachoma has been eliminated as a major public health problem in most Western countries through good sanitation, largely without antibiotics. However, antibiotics have been useful in speeding elimination of blinding trachoma in areas where it is highly prevalent.
Trachoma produces a runny nose and a sticky discharge from the eyes.
Repeated infections over a number of years can scar the inner eyelids, which turn inward, causing eyelashes to rub against the cornea. The damage leads to blindness. The discharge provides an easy route of bacterial spread, particularly in families with young children. In areas of poverty and poor sanitation, flies are attracted to the sticky discharge. Epidemiologic studies strongly suggest that flies can also spread the bacteria.