Trachoma is a bacterial infection of the eye that is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. It is one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide and is commonly found in areas with poor sanitation and limited access to clean water.
The symptoms of trachoma include redness and inflammation of the eye, swelling of the eyelids, discharge from the eye, and itching and irritation of the eye. In severe cases, the infection can cause scarring of the inner eyelid, which can lead to the eyelashes turning inward and causing damage to the cornea.
Trachoma primarily affects the conjunctiva, which is the thin, transparent tissue that lines the inside of the eyelids and covers the white part of the eye. The scarring caused by the infection can lead to a condition known as trichiasis, in which the eyelashes turn inward and rub against the cornea, causing pain, irritation, and eventually blindness if left untreated