Monday, January 27, 2014

Trachoma

Infectious trachoma, a bacterial infection, is the world's most common cause of preventable blindness.

The World Health Organization estimates that 21 million people are affected by trachoma, of whom about 2.2 million are visually impaired and 1.2 million blind.

"Trachoma is a disease of poverty," says Simon Bush, director of the Neglected Tropical Disease programme at Sightsavers. "It is endemic in areas which have poor access to water and sanitation."

"The pain and the devastation of trachoma can be stopped by 10 minutes of surgery," says Dr Alemayehu.

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