Our project in Ethiopia has been tackling blinding trachoma. Trachoma is an infectious and painful eye disease which damages the inside of the eyelids. Through repeated infections, trachoma scars the inside of the eyelids.This causes the eye lashes to turn inwards, scratching the eye, and ultimately leading to permanent blindness if left untreated.
A colossal 55% of the world’s burden of Trachoma can be found in Ethiopia, with 64 million of the population at risk of developing the painful condition and 70% of cases in the country impacting women and girls.
Trachoma is a is highly contagious disease yet is easily preventable and treatable through the World Health organisation’s SAFE strategy:
- Surgery,
- Antibiotics,
- Facial Cleanliness,
- Environmental improvements.