Trachoma is a rare condition in the United States.
However, world-wide it is the leading cause of preventable blindess. Approximately 6 million people have been blinded by the disease and as many as 400 million people may be afflicted. Flies who feed on ocular secretions have also been identified as a vector. Patients who develop blindness are usually the victims of recurrent trachomatous infections which results in progressive scarring of the conjunctiva, trichiasis, and ultimately corneal scarring and opacification. Incipient Trachoma Trachoma begins as a follicular conjunctivitis which is characterized by the presence of immature follicles on the superior tarsal conjunctiva.