Doyne Lecture: trachoma, is it history?

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health

Background:

• Trachoma, an ancient infectious disease, historically caused significant disability in Europe.
• The World Health Organization (WHO) targeted trachoma for global elimination by 2020.

Observation:

• Trachoma has been eradicated in most developed nations.
• However, it persists in 56 developing countries, impacting approximately 150 million individuals.

Findings:

• This paper synthesizes current knowledge on trachoma.
• It outlines essential strategies crucial for eradicating trachoma as a leading cause of blindness.

Implications:

• Understanding trachoma's epidemiology and transmission is vital for targeted interventions.
• Effective implementation of elimination strategies can prevent widespread visual impairment globally.