The difference between trachoma and stye

Written by Li Zhen Dong
Ophthalmology
Updated on September 15, 2024
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Trachoma is a chlamydial infection, while a stye is an infection caused by Staphylococcus aureus.

Trachoma manifests as the formation of trachoma follicles, hyperplasia, and inflammation on the inner surfaces of the eyelid and conjunctiva, with symptoms including redness, swelling, pain in the eyes, neovascularization of the cornea, and vascular pannus. A stye presents with redness, swelling, heat, and pain in the eyelid, mainly caused by inflammation.

In terms of treatment, trachoma mainly uses rifampin eye drops; styes are treated with levofloxacin eye drops, and erythromycin or tobramycin ointment at night, with no hot compresses applied. Typically, a stye can heal within about a week, whereas trachoma requires a longer treatment period, and it is important to rest and undergo regular check-ups.

(The use of medications should be carried out under the guidance of a physician)

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Trachoma papillary hyperplasia refers to the growth of papillary formations on the conjunctiva due to trachoma.

Trachoma papillary hyperplasia refers to the appearance of a large number of conjunctival papillae on the inner surface of the eyelid in patients with trachoma, which is one of the typical manifestations of inflammation. Trachoma is a common eye disease, caused by Chlamydia infection of the conjunctival tissue, and is greatly related to the patient's lack of eye hygiene and rubbing the eyes with dirty hands. Patients with trachoma may experience eye congestion, redness, the presence of follicles and papillary hyperplasia, as well as the formation of scar tissue on the inner surface of the eyelid. Timely treatment is necessary, otherwise the condition may gradually worsen, potentially leading to complications such as upper eyelid ptosis, entropion, and tear duct obstruction. For treatment, eye drops such as Rifampicin, Sodium Sulfacetamide, and Levofloxacin can be used to eliminate the infection.

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Common complications of trachoma

Trachoma is a chronic infectious conjunctival keratitis caused by Chlamydia trachomatis. It is named trachoma because it forms a rough, uneven appearance on the surface of the conjunctiva, resembling sand grains. The complications of trachoma mainly include common conditions such as entropion, trichiasis, trachomatous corneal ulcers, ptosis, trachomatous dry eye, tear duct obstruction, chronic dacryocystitis, symblepharon, and corneal opacity, among others.

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The difference between trachoma and conjunctival concretions.

Trachoma is caused by Chlamydia infection, while eye concretions are generally caused by chronic inflammation leading to lipid accumulation. When the eyelids show symptoms of trachoma, proliferative follicles and proliferative tissues in the eyelids form cobblestone changes. The concretions are white and located subconjunctivally, generally deep enough not to affect the eyes, but if superficial, they protrude into the palpebral conjunctiva and can cause certain wear to the eyes. Symptoms such as a foreign body sensation, burning sensation, and increased secretions can result from both trachoma and eye concretions. For treatment, eye drops are used for trachoma, and the eye concretions are removed under topical anesthesia, which alleviates the symptoms.

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Trachoma is caused by what?

Trachoma is a type of conjunctival keratitis caused by the Chlamydia trachomatis bacterium. It is a chronic infectious disease characterized by a rough and uneven appearance on the surface of the conjunctiva, resembling sand grains, hence its name. In the early stages, the conjunctiva shows infiltration, such as growths of papillae and follicles, along with corneal vascular pannus. In late stages, due to scarring of the affected conjunctiva, entropion and trichiasis can occur, aggravating the damage to the cornea and severely impacting vision or even causing blindness in the patient.

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Can trachoma cause blindness?

Trachoma is a chronic infectious conjunctivitis and keratitis caused by Chlamydia trachomatis, which can lead to blindness if left untreated. After the acute phase of trachoma is cured, it may leave no scars and not affect vision. However, repeated infections can lead to scarring, and in severe cases, complications may endanger vision. Entropion and trichiasis, where eyelashes constantly rub against the cornea, can cause the cornea to become opaque and form ulcers, leading to blindness. Chlamydia trachomatis can cause epithelial keratitis, and at the ends of corneal vascular pannus, corneal infiltration can occur along with entropion and trichiasis, which in turn exacerbates the damage to the cornea, causing opacification and leading to blindness.