Overview

Trachomatis infection of the eye is characterized by five stages: follicular inflammation, intense inflammation, eyelid scarring, in-turned eyelashes, and corneal clouding. The disease begins with a conjunctiva infection, which causes lymphocytes to form. The inflammation progresses to intense inflammation, causing irritability and swelling of the upper eyelid. Repeated infections cause eyelid scarring, entropion, and a distorted eyelid. The disease progresses to the cornea, which becomes cloudy.

Causes

Bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis, which is also responsible for the sexually transmitted disease Chlamydia, cause trachoma. Contact with secretions from an infected person's eyes or nose can spread trachoma. Insects, hands, clothes, and towels may act as transmitters. Eye-seeking flies also serve as vectors for transmission in some countries.

Symptoms

Trachoma signs and symptoms typically affect both eyes and might include,

• Irritation of the eyelid and eye

• Itching

• Pus or mucus-containing eye discharge

• Swelling of the eyelids

• Photophobia (sensitivity to light) 

• Eye soreness 

• Redness and loss of vision 

• Young children are especially prone to infections. 

However, the disease develops slowly, and it can take until adulthood for the more severe symptoms to appear.

Ayurvedic View

Pothaki- This is a disease affecting the eyelid, where there is formation of multiple pidakas (boils) that resemble red mustard seeds or white mustard, which is caused by kapha dosha, this is trachoma, when left untreated can cause blindness. Ayurveda way of approach is to correct the imbalance of dosha , reduce the symptoms and prevent the complications by ayurvedic panchakarma treatment and local treatment done to eye.

Ayurvedic Treatments

Prakshalanam   Tarpanam   Sekam   Vidalakam   Virechanam

Naturopathy Treatments

Enema   Eye packs    Reflexology   Diet therapy    Kriyas