TRACHOMA MAY CAUSE BLINDNESS

It is an infectious eye disease caused by bacteria namely Chlamydia trachomatis . This bacteria spreads through direct contact with an infected person’s towel or clothing . However flies also serve as an important carrier . It is one of the major cause of blindness all over the world .

 

CAUSES

Sharing towel of infected person

Sharing  antimony

Flies

Unhygienic conditions

SIGNS

 

Redness of the eyes

Watery eyes

Swelling of the eyelids

Single or multiple eyelid lumps

Eye pain

Marked light sensitivity                                                    

 Blurred vision

Corneal scarring

Diminishing vision

Blindness

 

 

PREVENTION

Protection against fies by the use of net

Keep clean water covered

Maintain cleanliness

Better sewerage system

Avoid towel and antimony of the effected person

DEFIENCY OF VITAMIN A MAY AFFECT EYES

Vitamin A is essential for the body functions . It has pivotal role in vision . Deficiency of this vitamin A can lead to decrease in the immunity of the body . Its deficiency also leads to night blindness . Deficiency is mostly seen in the old and sick people . And it is more common in the developing countries . Now a days it is mixed with polio drops to prevent it’s deficiency .

 

SOURCES

Animal sources

Liver , Eggs , Milk , Fish , Meat

Plant sources

Mango , carrot , papaya , margarine

CAUSES OF DEFICIENCY

Lack of intake of food of animal origin

Iron defiency

Excessive alcohol intake

SIGNS / SYMPTOMS

Deficiency of vitamin A mainly affect the eyes but it may also affect skin , hair and nails . It may result into following

Night blindness

Dry eyes

Change in the colour of eyes

 

Spots in the eyes

Dry hair

Dry skin

Broken nails

Decreased immunity

                                                                    

PREVENTION

Balanced diet

Immediately manage diseases which cause vitamin A deficiency like measles , diarrhea , respiratory problems

Use of polio drops along with vitamin A

  

BLINDNESS MAY CAUSE PREMATURE DEATH

About 180 million people in the world are disabled . Out of these 45 million are blind . This is an amazing fact that about 80% of blindness is preventable . Blindness not only reduces economic and social status but may also cause premature death .

                                               

MAJOR CAUSES OF BLINDNESS

These are cataract (19 million ) , glaucoma (6.4 million ) ,trachoma (5.6 million ) and childhood blindness ( 1.5 million ) .
Xerophthamia ( vitamin A deficiency ) is a common cause of blindness in children .
 

Refractive errors and diabetes are other major causes .

Accidents and injuries are common in all age groups but are most important in the young .

People working in factories , workshops and cottage industries are prone to eye injuries because of exposure to dust , airborne particles , flying objects , gases , fumes and radiations .

Doctors may develop premature cataracts due to exposure to  Xrays , UV rays and heat waves .

HOW TO PREVENT BLINDNESS

It is extremely important that eyesight of school going children should be assessed . They should be taught about the principles of good posture , proper lighting , avoidance of glare , proper distance and angle between books and eyes .  Use of readable type text in textbooks should be encouraged .
All the refractory errors should be corrected in time .
Cataract and glaucoma should be properly treated .
Eye injuries should be managed with care and caution .
Use of protective devices in occupations like welding to protect eyes .
Trachoma control programmes should be launched at the international level .
Vitamin A prophylaxis 200,00 IU are given orally at 6 monthly intervasl between the ages 1-6 years  , to control xerophthalmia .