Tired eyes at the end of the day can be a symptom of trachoma

Trachoma is a very ancient disease that was described as early as the 15th century BC. The description of the disease was found in ancient Egyptian papyri. The disease was then common in Rome, Greece and China. It is known that such famous personalities as Cicero and Horace had trachoma. The name trachoma, which means "rough, uneven", was introduced into practice by a Sicilian doctor in the 60s of our era. Trachoma was brought to Europe from the Middle East. It has been estimated that trachoma affects 500 million people in developing countries today. How trachoma manifests itself, read in our article.

What pathogen provokes the development of trachoma?

Trachoma – This is an infectious disease of the conjunctiva of the eye. The causative agent of trachoma is the intracellular obligate microorganism Chlamydia trachomatis, which has many serotypes. All serotypes are divided into «ocular» strains (serotypes A, B, Ba, C) and "genital" (serotypes D, E, F, G. H, I, Y, K). The latter serotypes are sexually transmitted and lead to the development of paratrachoma.

Chlamydia is similar in structure to a bacterium, but lives inside the cell, just like a virus. The source of infection is a sick person. The pathogen is transmitted by contact and is also carried by flies. Infection with trachoma occurs through a tear or discharge from the patient's eyes. The greatest danger is borne by patients with erased or atypical forms of trachoma. Women are more susceptible to the disease.

What are the symptoms of trachoma development?

The clinical picture develops 1-2 weeks after infection. Often the disease has an asymptomatic course, when trachoma is detected by chance during preventive medical examinations.

 Trachoma first manifests itself with the following symptoms:

• increased eye fatigue at the end of the day;
• a small amount of discharge from the eyes;
• sensation of sand in the eyes;
• burning sensation in the eyes.

Trachoma may present with the symptoms of acute conjunctivitis. There is swelling of the eyelids, photophobia, hyperemia of the eyelids, the amount of discharge from the eyes increases and becomes purulent. The upper transitional folds are affected, the development of vascular inflammation (panus) along the upper edge of the cornea is characteristic.

Objective signs and stages of development of trachoma

As the trachoma pathogen penetrates into the cells, the roughness of the mucous membrane of the eye gradually appears, then the cartilage thickens, which leads to the formation of ptosis. In this case, the patient becomes sleepy. The main objective symptom of trachoa is the formation of capsules around the follicles, inside which the pathogen remains. Therefore, chlamydia stays in the body for many years, and gives relapses under favorable conditions (decreased immunity, hypothermia, exhaustion).

When trachoma is suspected, the conjunctiva may not yet be changed. Later, prefollicular trachoma develops, hyperemia of the mucous membranes of the eyes appears.

The following are the 4 stages of trachoma:

• 1 stage – against the background of edematous and hyperemic conjunctiva, enlarged follicles and papillae are clearly visible;
• Stage 2 - inflammation is pronounced, follicles merge, some show visible decay. The scarring process begins. At this stage, the pathogen is most active, and the patient is very contagious to others;
• Stage 3 – the inflammatory process is less active, there are fewer follicles, the scarring process is more pronounced. At this stage, the next exacerbation of the disease often occurs;
• 4 stage – the patient recovers. A large number of scars are revealed on the conjunctiva of the eyelids.

What is the danger of trachoma? Complications and treatment of trachoma

The course of trachoma can be complicated by cicatricial changes in the conjunctiva, in which the fusion of the eyeball with the conjunctiva is possible, the development of dry eye syndrome, torsion of the eyelids is possible. The development of dacryocystitis and dacryoadenitis indicates the addition of a bacterial infection. The most dangerous complication of trachoma – this is the development of an ulcer on the cornea, which may be accompanied by perforation. Complications appear with improper treatment, insufficient therapy.

With a single development of inflammation, local treatment is carried out, after which, if necessary, the follicles are opened under local anesthesia. Antibacterial solutions and ointments are prescribed. A full course of treatment for trachoma can last for six months.