5 Things Travelers Need To Know About Blinding Trachoma
Blinding trachoma is not much of a concern in the United States or in other developed countries, but if you plan to travel to parts of the developing world, you could be at risk of contracting this sight-threatening eye infection. Here are five things travelers need to know about blinding trachoma.
What causes blinding trachoma?
Blinding trachoma is caused by Chlamydia trachomatis, a bacteria. This bacteria spreads through personal contact with infected people or through contact with items that infected people have touched, like towels or cloths. Flies also spread the bacteria when they land on an infected person's eyes or nose and then land on a healthy person. If the bacteria gets into your eyes, they may become infected, which results in blinding trachoma.
Where is it endemic?
Blinding trachoma is endemic in many parts of the developing world. In the Americas, it is endemic in Guatemala and Brazil and may also be present in Mexico. It is also found in most of the countries in Africa, from Algeria in the north to Namibia in the south. In the Middle East, it's endemic in Yemen and may be present in Iraq, Iran, and Oman. It is endemic to many countries in Southeast Asia such as India, China, and Thailand.
Surprisingly, blinding trachoma is also endemic to Australia. Australia is the only country in the western world where the disease is still endemic.
What are the symptoms?
Blinding trachoma generally occurs in five stages. In the first stage, small bumps will develop on the insides of your eyelids. In the second stage, these bumps become inflamed and your eyelids become swollen, which leads to sore, itchy eyes. You may also see pus or other discharge leaking from your eyes during this stage, and you may be sensitive to light.
The third stage occurs in people who suffer repeated infections and is characterized by scarring on the insides of the eyelids. This scarring makes the eyelids turn inwards and causes the eyelashes to scrape against the surface of the eyes. In the fourth stage, your corneas become scratched by your eyelashes. Finally, in the fifth stage, the cornea becomes clouded due to constant inflammation and scratching, and blindness is the result.
Can it be treated?
If you develop blinding trachoma, your optometrist can treat the infection with antibiotics. A single oral dose of azithromycin can be used to treat the infection, or the same drug can be given in the form of eye drops. You may also be given a tetracycline eye cream to apply to your eyes. The treatment used will vary based on what medications are available in the country you are visiting.
After the infection clears up, it's important that you take steps to not become re-infected. The damage from blinding trachoma comes from multiple infections, so if you continue to acquire the bacteria, you could lose some or all of your vision.
How can you prevent blinding trachoma?
If you need to travel to an area where blinding trachoma is endemic, there are a few simple things that you can do to protect your eyes. Practicing good hygiene, like washing your face every day and washing your hands before you touch your face or eyes can help keep you healthy. If you're in an area where there is no clean water, make sure to carry hand sanitizer to keep your hands clean. Avoiding areas where there are a lot of flies, like pit latrines and other unsanitary places, is also important.
If you are traveling to a blinding trachoma endemic area, make sure to take precautions to avoid getting the infection, such as getting an eye exam. Click for more information and tips on eye care.
