Fortunately early treatment is very successful at reducing the risk of vision loss. Causes of World Blindness Globally there are approximately 38 million persons who are blind, and a further 110 million who have low vision. The major causes of blindness can be seen in this pie chart. The major cause of world blindness is cataract . Surgical removal of the cataract restores vision, and we will watch a cataract operation in class.
Trachoma is one of the oldest infectious diseases known to mankind.
Worldwide, there are about 6 million people irreversibly blinded by trachoma and an estimated 146 million cases of active disease in need of treatment. Today trachoma is found in poor rural areas of most African countries and a few other areas. Trachoma is spread by Chlamydia trachomatis, a microorganism resembling both bacteria and viruses. Contact with eye discharge and eye-seeking flies will spread the disease. Prevention of vision loss by trachoma is by epilation of the in turned lashes, hand washing and antibiotics.