Activities to commemorate the 12th World Sight Day in Cameroon began on monday, October 10, throughout the ten regions in the country with sensitisation campaigns on preventable infectious blindness. The day, which is out to raise awareness on blindness, visual impairment and rehabilitation of the visually impaired, will be observed on Thursday, October 13. The National Programme for Prevention of Blindness (NPPB) in the Ministry of Public Health is organising events under the theme “Preventable infectious blindness… Trachoma.”
Trachoma is a contagious bacterial infection which affects the conjunctival covering of the eye, the cornea and the eyelids. It is associated with poverty and lack of proper hygiene. Trachoma is caused by the Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria and it is preventable and curable. Statistics from the World Health Organisation indicate that trachoma is the leading cause of infectious blindness in the world. Approximately 80 million people in the world have active trachoma. The majority of these are children; with the disease predominant in poor tropical or semi-tropical countries.
As part of the World Sight Day, NPPB will sensitise the public on the causes of trachoma, how it is manifested and how it can be prevented. Trachoma affects the eyelids and conjunctiva (outside covering) of the eye, usually with very little discomfort at the start of the disease. When infected, the conjunctival covering of the eye becomes red and irritated (inflamed). Repeated infections by the trachoma bacteria are common and unless treated, can result in scarring of the conjunctival surface of the lids. When the lids become scarred, the lid margins may be affected, causing eye irritation and pain followed by scarring of the cornea by the inturned lashes (trichiasis), which scrape the cornea. Corneal scarring results in decreased or total loss of vision. In order to see properly, ophthalmologists say it is necessary for the cornea (front window of the eye) to remain clear. Although trachoma is caused by a small parasitic bacterium, poor sanitation, unclean water supply, and reduced personal and community hygiene allow the bacteria to infect and re-infect eyes of individuals living in endemic areas.
The World Health Organisation has targeted trachoma for elimination by 2020 through an innovative, multi-faceted public health strategy known as S.A.F.E; surgery to correct the advanced blinding stage of the disease (trichiasis), antibiotics to treat active infection, facial cleanliness and environmental improvements in the areas of water and sanitation to reduce disease transmission. During activities to mark the day in the country, the Minister of Public Health and other partners are expected to carry out a symbolic washing of the eyes of children in some schools in Yaounde.
