Trachoma is a significant public health issue as the leading infectious cause of blindness worldwide, caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. It spreads through personal contact, contaminated surfaces, and flies that have come into contact with eye or nose discharge of infected individuals. Repeated infections cause scarring which may lead to the eyelashes turning inward, rubbing the eye, causing pain, corneal damage, and potentially blindness.
Recent updates on trachoma show considerable global progress in controlling and eliminating the disease:

• Fiji has recently become the 26th country validated by the World Health Organization (WHO) for eliminating trachoma as a public health problem, giving hope that other countries can follow suit. Globally, 58 countries have eliminated at least one neglected tropical disease, including trachoma.
• The World Health Organization endorses the SAFE strategy for trachoma control: Surgery to treat advanced disease, Antibiotics to clear infection (notably azithromycin donated by Pfizer), Facial cleanliness, and Environmental improvements (better access to water and sanitation).
• WHO reports there are about 103 million people still living in trachoma-endemic areas at risk of blindness (April 2025 data). The global number of people at risk decreased from 115.7 million in April 2023 to 103.2 million in April 2024.
• In 2024, approximately 87,349 people received surgical treatment for the blinding stage, and 44.4 million people were treated with antibiotics.
• Countries in the Americas and Africa are making steady progress, with several countries approaching elimination status and others expanding programs in rural and remote areas where trachoma persists.
• The International Trachoma Initiative continues to coordinate antibiotic donation and technical support to ensure the SAFE strategy's implementation in endemic countries, contributing to a 92% reduction in the global burden since 2002.

Elimination is defined by reducing the prevalence of trachomatous trichiasis (TT) in adults to less than 0.2% and follicular inflammation in children to under 5% in endemic districts, sustained without mass antibiotic administration for two years, alongside system readiness to manage new cases.
Trachoma remains a major concern in vulnerable populations lacking sufficient water, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructure. However, the global effort through coordinated public health strategies is achieving substantial results toward its elimination by 2030.
This summary reflects the latest data and WHO-validated progress as of 2025 with ongoing efforts strengthening surveillance, treatment, and preventive measures worldwide.

About Trachoma
Trachoma is a bacterial eye infection caused by Chlamydia trachomatis. It is the leading infectious cause of blindness worldwide and is highly contagious. The disease is most prevalent in poor and rural areas with inadequate sanitation and limited access to clean water. 
Symptoms and stages
Trachoma typically affects both eyes and progresses over time, often starting in childhood, with the most severe symptoms appearing in adulthood.
The World Health Organization (WHO) identifies five stages of the disease. 
Early-stage symptoms: 

• Mild itching and irritation of the eyes and eyelids.
• Eye discharge containing pus or mucus.
• Swollen eyelids.
• Eye pain.
• Eye redness.
• Light sensitivity (photophobia). 

Advanced stages: 

• Eyelid scarring: Repeated infections cause scarring on the inner eyelid.
• Trichiasis: Scarring causes the eyelid to turn inward (entropion), and the eyelashes to turn in and scrape the cornea.
• Corneal clouding (opacity): The constant scratching from the ingrown lashes damages the cornea, leading to cloudiness and, eventually, irreversible blindness. 

Transmission and risk factors
Trachoma is spread through direct and indirect contact with infected eye and nose secretions. 

• Person-to-person contact: The bacteria can be spread through hands, clothing, towels, and bedding.
• Flies: Certain types of flies that have contact with an infected person's eye or nose discharge can spread the infection.
• Risk factors: Crowded living conditions, poor hygiene, and inadequate access to clean water and sanitation contribute significantly to the disease's spread. Children are the most susceptible to infection, and women are blinded by the disease more often than men, likely due to their close contact with children. 

Treatment and prevention
The WHO recommends the "SAFE" strategy to combat trachoma. 

• Surgery: To correct the advanced, blinding stage of the disease, known as trachomatous trichiasis.
• Antibiotics: To clear the infection. A single oral dose of azithromycin is the preferred treatment in mass drug administration programs.
• Facial cleanliness: Promoting face-washing and personal hygiene helps to reduce transmission.
• Environmental improvements: Improving access to clean water and sanitation reduces the risk of infection. Proper waste management helps control fly populations that spread the bacteria. 

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