Growing concern over trachoma

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — The global incidence of trachoma is still high, despite the existence of a global framework treatment protocol, said Silvio Mariotti, MD, PhD, here during the Pan-American Congress of Ophthalmology.

A global initiative for the treatment of trachoma has existed since the 1950s. While many countries have pledged their commitment to the initiative, Dr. Mariotti said none has reported a decrease in prevalence.

Increasingly, he said, the lack of verifiable data is becoming part of the problem. The last global statistic dates back to 1994, when 146 million cases were reported.

When the Global Alliance for Elimination of Blinding Trachoma was established in 1997, its goal was to eliminate the disease by 2020, Dr. Mariotti said. To help physicians recognize and treat the disease, a simplified grading system was implemented. Surgery is recommended as treatment for trachoma. Additionally, he said implementing an antibiotic-dosing regimen for active cases, promoting facial cleanliness and using clean water are also effective in prevention, he said.

“Latin America could be the first to be assessed as free from trachoma as the result of a public health intervention,” he said.