Trachoma

Trachoma ( Ancient Greek: "rough eye") is an eye disease which may result in blindness, is caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis. The blindness is caused by ulceration and consequent scarring of the cornea. It is one of the earliest recorded eye diseases, having been identified as early as 27 B.C. It is the leading cause of blindness worldwide and currently afflicts over 400 million people, most of whom live primarily in underdeveloped and poverty-stricken countries in Africa, the Middle-East, and Asia. more...

Rare in the United States, the disease can be treated with antibiotics and prevented with adequate hygiene and education.

Amongst the most important contributions in the field, are those of Dr. Vincent Tabone. He discovered that the use of antibiotics to cure the disease was essential.

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