What are the symptoms of trachoma?

The most common signs that a person is suffering from trachoma include:

• Discharge from the eyes
• Irritated eyes
• Redness

Because the infection spreads via hands, clothes and bedding, it disproportionately affects women and children: globally women are 1.8 times more likely than men to be blinded by the disease. If trachoma is not treated, it can lead to trichiasis.

What is trichiasis?

Trichiasis, sometimes called advanced trachoma, is when the eyes get inflamed after repeated trachoma infections. Scar tissue builds up on the inside of the eyelid, making the eyelid tight and pulling the eyelashes inwards. When the eyelashes rub the cornea, it causes immense pain and can lead to blindness.

Our aim is to eliminate trachoma in the countries where we work, and this goal is now closer than ever.

In October 2024, Pakistan announced that it had eliminated the disease. Yet there are still more than 40 countries that count trachoma as a public health problem, where people are at risk of being blinded by trichiasis.

We help to control the impact and spread of trachoma by implementing the World Health Organization’s SAFE strategy: the acronym describes the four methods used to control the disease.

Trachoma prevention: the SAFE strategy

• Surgery: to stop eyelashes from rubbing against the eyeball and helping to halt the cycle of repeated infection that can lead to blindness.
• Antibiotics: medication, distributed via mass drug administration, treats the trachoma infection and reduces the spread of the disease. It is usually repeated annually for up to five years.
• Facial cleanliness: teaching local communities the importance of face washing, and encouraging good hygiene to prevent the infection being spread.
• Environmental improvements: to improve access to water and sanitation to reduce exposure and re-infection, and eliminate conditions in which flies breed.