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trachoma

trachoma

1 9.9
A contagious eye infection that scars the eye and can cause blindness
  • noun
  • /trəˈkoʊmə/
  • Specialized
: tracoma
  • We were somewhat stunned to learn that trachoma was once endemic in North America and Europe.
  • trachoma infection
  • trachoma control
  • trachoma-endemic

These are roundworm, whipworm, hookworm, schistosomiasis, lymphatic phylluriasis, onchosarciasis, and trachoma.

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Examples

  • The surgeon operates on a Moroccan patient's eyelids, deformed by trachoma infection, to realign the eyelashes.

    Academic text (2004)
  • The strains of C. trachomatis that cause trachoma are passed from person to person through eye and nose secretions.

    Academic text (2004)
  • Have you ever seen anyone with trachoma?

  • Consistent with these means of transmission, trachoma is primarily a disease of women and children.

    Academic text (2004)
  • In response, the Ghanaian trachoma control workers organized radio listening clubs, each with about twenty-five members.

    Academic text (2004)
  • In 2003, one NGO working in western Darfur was forced to abandon trachoma control activities when fighting erupted there.

    Academic text (2004)
  • The irritation from inflammatory trachoma in children leads to copious secretions from the eyes and nose.

    Academic text (2004)
  • One oral dose of the antibiotic azithromycin will clear the eyes of a Sudanese girl of trachoma infection.

    Academic text (2004)
  • Many communities in Africa are working to eradicate trachoma, which affects the vision of millions.

  • The irritation from inflammatory trachoma in children leads to copious secretions from the eyes and nose.

How Severe

blindness
52 3.1
trachoma
  • Specialized
1 9.9
conjunctivitis
  • Specialized
4 5.5
sore-eyed
7 6.3

Surface Forms

trachoma singular
trachomas plural

Etymology

Trachoma comes from the Greek root trachys, meaning 'rough'. The name refers to how the disease makes the eye surface and inner eyelid rough and scarred, which can lead to blindness; you can also see the same root in trachea.