There are currently 590 million people at risk from blinding trachoma
About trichiasis
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| Malita Mbwilo had suffered from trichiasis for six years prior to surgery © Robert Perry/Scotland on Sunday/Sightsavers |
Trichiasis starts off as a complication of trachoma which can be described through its ancient Greek translation as "rough eye". It is an infectious eye disease and one of the leading causes of the world's preventable blindness.
Trachoma is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis and it is spread by direct contact with eye, nose, and throat secretions from affected individuals, or contact with towels and/or washcloths, that have had similar contact with these secretions. Children are the most susceptible to infection, but the effects are often not felt until adulthood.
Untreated, repeated trachoma infections result in a painful form of permanent blindness when scarring causes the eyelashes to turn inward and scratch the cornea. This slowly and painfully results in complete irreversible blindness.
Just £5 could save one person's sight and stop the pain.
Discover how the Sightsavers is implementing the SAFE strategy to help prevent trachoma and trichiasis.
Unified Solutions.