Trachoma is the leading cause of preventable blindness worldwide and is often found in communities with poor hygiene. Which disease is described?

Trachoma is the leading cause of preventable blindness worldwide and is often found in communities with poor hygiene. Which disease is described?

• A. Cataract
• B. Glaucoma
• C. Trachoma
• D. Onchocerciasis

Answer: (C)

Trachoma is described. It’s a chronic infectious eye disease caused by Chlamydia trachomatis that spreads easily in communities with poor hygiene and crowded conditions. Repeated infections inflame and scar the inner surface of the eyelid, leading to scarring that causes the eyelids to turn inward (trichiasis). The eyelashes rub against the cornea, creating epithelial damage and ultimately corneal scarring that can progress to irreversible blindness. Because it’s preventable with antibiotics and improvements in facial cleanliness and living conditions, trachoma is widely cited as the leading cause of preventable blindness worldwide. Cataracts cause cloudy lenses and blur vision, not an infectious process tied to hygiene. Glaucoma damages the optic nerve often with elevated eye pressure and is not primarily linked to poor hygiene. Onchocerciasis, or river blindness, is due to a parasitic worm transmitted by blackflies and has a different set of risk factors and clinical features. The description points to trachoma most clearly.

Trachoma is described. It’s a chronic infectious eye disease caused by Chlamydia trachomatis that spreads easily in communities with poor hygiene and crowded conditions. Repeated infections inflame and scar the inner surface of the eyelid, leading to scarring that causes the eyelids to turn inward (trichiasis). The eyelashes rub against the cornea, creating epithelial damage and ultimately corneal scarring that can progress to irreversible blindness. Because it’s preventable with antibiotics and improvements in facial cleanliness and living conditions, trachoma is widely cited as the leading cause of preventable blindness worldwide.

Cataracts cause cloudy lenses and blur vision, not an infectious process tied to hygiene. Glaucoma damages the optic nerve often with elevated eye pressure and is not primarily linked to poor hygiene. Onchocerciasis, or river blindness, is due to a parasitic worm transmitted by blackflies and has a different set of risk factors and clinical features. The description points to trachoma most clearly.