Does trachoma need treatment?

Written by Peng Xi Feng
Ophthalmology
Updated on September 15, 2024
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Trachoma is a chronic infectious conjunctivitis that can lead to blindness, so once diagnosed with trachoma, it is essential to undergo both systemic and local drug treatment. Systemic treatment includes the acute phase, where severe trachoma requires systemic use of antibiotics, generally for three to four weeks. Local treatment involves the application of rifampin, penicillin, and other eye drops, and erythromycin eye ointment, etc., for at least ten to twelve weeks. If complications such as entropion, trichiasis, ptosis, symblepharon, or chronic dacryocystitis occur, surgical correction is necessary.

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Written by Li Zhen Dong
Ophthalmology
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Trachoma is what type of infectious disease

Trachoma is classified as a Class C infectious disease by national regulations. Trachoma generally manifests as red eyes, swollen eyes, eye pain, increased secretions, and a foreign body sensation, sometimes affecting vision. The conjunctiva in trachoma shows significant proliferative follicles, or pavement stone-like changes. The transmission of trachoma is mainly through contact. Additionally, it is categorized as a Type C infectious disease, with infectious diseases classified into three major categories: Type A, Type B, and Type C. After contracting trachoma, it is crucial to actively treat it with eye drops and to pay attention to eye hygiene.

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Written by Tao Yuan
Ophthalmology
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How to eliminate trachoma follicles

Trachoma follicles need to be treated regularly with antibiotic eye drops to kill the Chlamydia trachomatis and eliminate inflammation before they can be resolved. Trachoma is a common ophthalmic disease caused by neglect of eye hygiene, such as rubbing the eyes with dirty hands, leading to the infection of the conjunctival tissues by Chlamydia trachomatis. The typical symptoms include eye congestion, redness, increased discharge, and a foreign body sensation. By using a slit lamp microscope for magnified observation, the doctor can see numerous follicles and scar formation on the inner surface of the patient's eyelid, as well as vascular pannus formation at the corneal limbus. Treatment involves using eye drops such as levofloxacin hydrochloride, rifampicin, and sulfacetamide sodium to kill the pathogen and thereby alleviate the symptoms. (Please follow medical advice regarding medication.)

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Written by Peng Xi Feng
Ophthalmology
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Trachoma has several treatment methods.

Trachoma is a chronic infectious conjunctival and corneal inflammation caused by Chlamydia trachomatis infection and is one of the leading causes of blindness. Around three hundred to six hundred million people worldwide are infected with trachoma. Treatment includes systemic and local ocular medication, as well as treatment for complications. Local treatments include 0.1% rifampicin eye drops, 0.1% tetrahydropalmatine eye drops, or 0.5% neomycin eye drops. Erythromycin or tetracycline eye ointments are used at night, with a treatment duration of at least ten to twelve weeks. Acute or severe cases of trachoma should be treated with systemic antibiotics. Surgical correction of trichiasis and entropion is crucial to prevent late-stage trachoma scarring that leads to blindness.

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home-news-image
Written by Peng Xi Feng
Ophthalmology
47sec home-news-image

Does trachoma need treatment?

Trachoma is a chronic infectious conjunctivitis that can lead to blindness, so once diagnosed with trachoma, it is essential to undergo both systemic and local drug treatment. Systemic treatment includes the acute phase, where severe trachoma requires systemic use of antibiotics, generally for three to four weeks. Local treatment involves the application of rifampin, penicillin, and other eye drops, and erythromycin eye ointment, etc., for at least ten to twelve weeks. If complications such as entropion, trichiasis, ptosis, symblepharon, or chronic dacryocystitis occur, surgical correction is necessary.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Zhen Dong
Ophthalmology
45sec home-news-image

Warm compress or cold compress for trachoma

Trachoma generally does not recommend hot or cold compresses, as it is caused by a Chlamydia trachomatis infection. For the treatment of trachoma, the main medications used are rifampicin eye drops, ofloxacin eye drops, and an eye ointment such as tobramycin ointment used once at night. Trachoma is somewhat contagious, mainly transmitted through contact; it is not transmitted without contact. Therefore, its contagious nature should be noted. The treatment process for trachoma is relatively slow, and recovery is also slow. It is relatively easy to reduce the symptoms in the eyes, but complete recovery is currently difficult. Therefore, it is important to persist with the medication, generally for about a month.