BACKGROUND Trichiasis recurrence following surgery is a serious problem for trachoma programs. OBJECTIVE To determine if postoperative treatment with azithromycin compared with topical tetracycline reduces recurrence up to 1 year, and if azithromycin treatment of household members provides additional benefit compared with treating only the surgical patient. DESIGN A randomized, single-maske...

OBJECTIVE We aimed to summarize and map the existing global population-based data on active trachoma and trichiasis. Detailed distribution maps of various infectious diseases have proved a valuable tool in their control. Such maps play an important role in assessing the magnitude of the problem, defining priority areas for control, monitoring changes, and advocacy. Until now, information on tra...

PURPOSE Trachomatous trichiasis (TT) is usually described as a cicatricial entropion of the upper lid; however, other forms of trichiasis have been reported. This variation in clinical phenotype is potentially important for treatment guidelines. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the range of disease type and severity encompassed by TT. METHODS Individuals presenting with TT t...

Signifi cant progress is being made in the fi ght against blinding trachoma. However, according to estimates, there are over 7.3 million people with trachomatous trichiasis (TT) in the world.1 Trachomatous trichiasis occurs when in-turned eyelashes scrape the cornea. Not only is this incredibly painful, it also causes damage to the cornea; sufferers will become irreversibly blind unless it is c...

PURPOSE Trichiasis is an acquired condition in which the eyelashes are directed posteriorly, touching the surface of the cornea. It poses a complex therapeutic problem. Despite several therapeutic options (epilation, electroepilation, cryotherapy, laser ablation and standard surgical techniques), relapse is frequent. METHODS A prospective, nonmasked study was conducted to determine the effica...

purpose: to evaluate four southern provinces of iran for trachoma by rapid assessment of trachoma (rat) during 2004. methods: this descriptive study was performed in rural areas of four probable contaminated provinces in south of iran including bushehre, kerman, hormozgan, and sistan and baluchestan. by multistage sampling, 5328 subjects including 4782 children aged 1-9 years and 546 adults wer...

PURPOSE Population-based prevalence surveys were undertaken to determine whether trachoma is a public health problem in Laos requiring implementation of the SAFE strategy (surgery, antibiotics, facial cleanliness, environmental improvement). METHODS The country was divided into 19 evaluation units (EUs), each containing a population of roughly 100,000-350,000 people. Of these, 16 were believe...

In many parts of Africa patients with upper-lid trichiasis due to trachoma have very limited access to ophthalmologists or hospital facilities. In order to reach these patients it is necessary for trained paramedical eye workers to operate on patients close to where they live. The results of trichiasis surgery performed by an ophthalmic nurse in Tanzania were evaluated. A total of 156 operation...

BACKGROUND In northern Nigeria, trachoma is an important public health problem, but there are currently few population-based data on prevalence of disease and no formal trachoma control programs. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS In Kano state, Nigeria, we conducted a population-based cross-sectional survey using multistage cluster random sampling, combining examination for clinical signs of tra...