162 w h y c h i l d r e n l o s e t h e i r v i s i o n a n d w h a t w e c a n d o
Trachoma
Trachoma is a disease that is spread by flies. Once a person is infected,
the disease gets worse slowly, usually over many years, unless it is
treated. Trachoma is most common in poor, crowded living conditions,
where there is little access to clean water.
Signs:
1. Trachoma begins with red, watery, sore eyes. But sometimes there are
no early signs.
2. After about a month:
• small yellowish-white or pink-gray dots form inside the upper eyelids
• the top edge of the colored part of the eye may look cloudy
• the white upper part of the eye gets a little red
3. Years later, the lumps inside the eyelids begin to go away, leaving
white scars. These scars may pull the eyelashes down into the eye,
scratching it and eventually causing blindness.
Treatment:
To learn how to put medicine in the eye, see page 160.
Put 1% tetracycline or
erythromycin eye ointment
inside both eyes 3 times
each day.
OR
Use 3% tetracycline or
erythromycin eye ointment
1 time each day.
Do this for 30 days. Put this ointment in the eyes of other
children in the house, too.
For severe cases of trachoma, when the infection covers half or more of the
inside of the eyelid, also give erythromycin by mouth for 14 days:
Age Dose of erythromycin
under 3 years................................. 75 to 150 mg 4 times a day, with food
3 to 7 years.................................... 150 mg 4 times a day, with food
Prevention:
Keep latrines covered and be strict about training your children to wash
their hands with soap and water after they use the latrine.
helping children who are blind