Mother washing child's face to prevent trachoma infection. Child Receiving Tetracycline Eye Ointment to treat Trachoma Alliance for the Global Elimination of Trachoma Trachoma has been a known cause of blindness since the Ancient Egyptians described it and its blinding consequences. Having trachoma caused immigrants to the United States to be turned back at Ellis Island in the early part of the 20th century.
Trachoma is an infectious disease passed from one family member to another.
It affects women and children most severely. It is a disease of poverty found in parts of the world with poor sanitation and lack of clean water. Trachoma can be easily treated with antibiotic eye ointment. Scarred eyelids can be repaired surgically by trained eye health workers. It is easily prevented when people have water to wash their faces every day and fly populations found among animals are kept under control.