Page 176 - ירושלים: גיליון רפואי

Medical File No. 004

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Name of disease: Trachoma

Cause and Trachoma is an infectious disease caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis.
transmission It is common in areas of poor hygiene and sanitation, including lack of running water,

ies, habitation close to animals and overcrowding.
Trachoma is transmitted by touching secretions from the eyes, nose and throat of
infected individuals, whether directly or through clothing and towels bearing these
secretions.

Symptoms The incubation period of the bacteria is between one and two weeks. It begins with
and conjunctivitis, reddening of the eye and secretions. At an advanced stage, small,
progression grain-like lumps appear on the inner surface of the upper eyelid (the conjunctiva).
Scarring then occurs and the eyelids turn inward, a condition known as entropion.
Due to the turning of the lashes toward the eye (trichiasis), every blink scratches and
destroys the cornea.

Treatment A dose of azithromycin can be administered orally or tetracycline ointment can
and be applied to the eyelids for six weeks. Scarring requires surgery to prevent the
medications eyelashes from scratching the cornea.

Notes When Napoleon conquered Egypt in 1798, his soldiers contracted trachoma. When
they were sent home, the disease spread to Europe; interest in trachoma can be traced
to this time. Trachoma is also called “Egyptian ophthalmia,” and Egypt was known as the
“land of the blind.” Due to poor hygienic conditions trachoma was common in early
20th-century Palestine as well. In 1914 a conference of Jewish physicians was held in
Jerusalem on the subject.
The disease has now subsided worldwide thanks to improved living conditions. In Israel
it has disappeared entirely and no new cases have been diagnosed. However, trachoma
is still found in poorer areas of the world, especially Africa and developing nations.

Name of Prof. Moshe Lazar, Signature
physician ophthalmologist

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