Public health programs historically used the topical ointment for treatment and control of trachoma. We have known for decades that we had the antibiotics to successfully treat this disease when cases developed, but we didn't seem to have the right drug delivery method to control the bug over time. Study findings are reported in the August 21st issue of the British medical journal, The Lancet. Researchers compared the effect of the two antibiotic regimens on infection rates in villages located in trachoma endemic areas where transmission of infection is high. The villages were in the African countries of Egypt, The Gambia, and Tanzania.
Trachoma occurs when the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis infects the inner eyelid.
The disease persists in staggering numbers in developing countries because of lack of medical attention, poor personal hygiene, and environmental conditions. Infection usually begins in childhood, and without proper treatment, scarring occurs. After repeated episodes, the scarring causes the eyelid to contract and turn inward. With every blink, the eyelashes damage the cornea, eventually leading to blindness. Since the 1950s, the standard treatment for trachoma has been daily application of tetracycline ointment in the inflamed eye for six weeks.