Trachoma: The Main Infectious Cause of Preventable Blindness – What You Should Know in 2025

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Trachoma is a disabling but avoidable infectious eye disease, most prevalent in the poorest societies in the world. Trachoma results from infection with the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis, and the disease remains a public health crisis in 38 nations, despite heightened international effort to eliminate it.

Fast Facts:

• 1.9 million people are blind or have impaired vision due to trachoma
• 103 million people live in trachoma-endemic areas (as of April 2024)
• 21 countries have been free from trachoma as a public health problem

Global antibiotic coverage was 29% in 2023

What Is Trachoma?

Trachoma is a contagious bacterial eye infection caused by Chlamydia trachomatis. Repeated infections over time result in scarring of the inner eyelid surface, resulting in trichiasis—a painful condition where the eyelashes grow in toward the cornea and rub against it. Without treatment, trachoma results in permanent blindness.

How Is Trachoma Transmitted?

Trachoma is spread by:

• Direct contact with eye or nasal discharge of an infected individual (particularly children)
• Infected hands, clothing, bedding, or surfaces
• Flies that have come into contact with infected discharges

Trachoma thrives in overcrowded, poor housing areas with poor access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene.

Trachoma Symptoms and Development

In hyperendemic environments, active trachoma is highly common among preschool children and reaches 90% infection rates. It is despite the fact that the body can cure an infection that reinfection occurs frequently, especially in households with a number of infected individuals.

Conclusion:

• Eye discharge and redness
• Swelling of the eyelid
• Light sensitivity
• Pain caused by lash rubbing the eye (in later stages)

Over years, chronic infection results in conjunctival scarring and ultimately corneal damage, causing irreversible blindness.

Who Is Most at Risk?

• Children under 10 are usually the main reservoir of infection
• Women are 4 times more likely to become blind due to trachoma compared to men, because they do more child care and are exposed more
• Populations of people who live in rural, poor communities with poor sanitation

Where Is Trachoma Still a Problem?

Trachoma is hyperendemic in the following areas of:

• Africa (most impacted continent)
• Asia
• The Middle East
• Central and South America
• Remote areas of Australia

Countries That Have Eliminated Trachoma (up to 15 July 2025):

Benin, Burundi, Cambodia, China, Gambia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Ghana, India, Iraq, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mexico, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Saudi Arabia, Togo, Vanuatu and Viet Nam

Economic Impact of Trachoma

Trachoma doesn't just destroy health—it has a massive economic cost:

• $2.9–$5.3 billion annually lost in productivity due to visual impairment
• Up to $8 billion if disabilities related to trichiasis are included

The affected are already poor, and the disability is a further source of poverty.

Preventing and Controlling Trachoma: The SAFE Strategy

WHO recommends the SAFE strategy to prevent trachoma:

S – Surgery

To correct trichiasis and avoid further damage

130,746 persons received surgery in 2023

A – Antibiotic

Mass treatment with azithromycin, administered via the International Trachoma Initiative

32.9 million people treated in 2023

F – Facial Cleanliness

Promoting good hygiene habits, especially in children

E – Environmental Improvements

Improved access to clean water, sanitation, and waste disposal

Trachoma Elimination Progress: A Global Overview

Despite the disruption wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic, the battle against trachoma is winning:

| Year | Surgeries Performed | People Treated with Antibiotics|

| 2019     | 92,622                  | 95.2 million                        |

| 2023     | 130,746                 | 32.9 million                        |

To achieve total elimination, trachoma-endemic nations are scaling up implementation of SAFE strategy, led by health, water, sanitation, and development sectors.

What's Next in the Fight Against Trachoma?

Global leaders in health are working to attain the World Health Assembly's resolution WHA 51.11:

Elimination of trachoma as a public health problem

This goal hinges on taking:

• Increased investment in WASH (Water, Sanitation & Hygiene)
• Stronger community health systems
• Sustaining donations and global partnerships

Final Thoughts: Why Trachoma Elimination Is Important

Eliminating trachoma is not just a health mission—it's a cause of social justice. The communities most impacted are also the least resource rich. With ongoing global effort and community engagement, trachoma can be another disease that is pushed into history.

✅ Trachoma is preventable.

✅ Trachoma is curable.

✅ Trachoma elimination is achievable.

Need More Information?

Verify [WHO Trachoma Page](https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/trachoma) or your national health department for any recent local prevention initiatives.