trachoma

/trə'koumə/

Thân thiện

A doctor examines a patient's eye for signs of trachoma.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A chronic, contagious viral disease characterized by inflammation of the conjunctiva and cornea of the eye, leading to the formation of scar tissue. It is a major cause of preventable blindness worldwide.

Usage

• Noun:
  • Trachoma is primarily spread through direct or indirect contact with the eye or nasal discharge of an infected person.
  • The World Health Organization has targeted trachoma for global elimination as a public health problem.
  • Repeated infections with trachoma can cause the eyelid to turn inward, a painful condition known as trichiasis.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The health clinic is running a program to treat and prevent trachoma in the rural village.
  • Sanitation and access to clean water are crucial in the fight against trachoma.
  • Scarring from advanced trachoma can lead to irreversible vision loss.

Advanced Usage

• "Blinding trachoma": Refers to the most severe stage of the disease where vision is lost.
  • The SAFE strategy (Surgery, Antibiotics, Facial cleanliness, Environmental improvement) is used to combat blinding trachoma.

Variants and Related Words

• Trachomatous (adj): Pertaining to or affected by trachoma.
  • Trachomatous scarring is a serious complication.

Synonyms

• Granular conjunctivitis: An older medical term for trachoma, referring to the characteristic "grainy" appearance of the inner eyelid.

Notes on Meaning

• Trachoma is specifically an infectious eye disease caused by the bacterium . It is not a general term for any eye inflammation.

Học thuật

Noun

1. a chronic contagious viral disease marked by inflammation of the conjunctiva and cornea of the eye and the formation of scar tissue