trachoma

American  

[truh-koh-muh] / trəˈkoʊ mə /

noun

Ophthalmology.

1. a chronic, contagious infection of the conjunctiva and cornea, characterized by the formation of granulations and scarring and caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis.

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trachoma British  

/ trəˈkəʊmə, trəˈkɒmətəs, -ˈkəʊ- /

noun

1. a chronic contagious disease of the eye characterized by inflammation of the conjunctiva and cornea and the formation of scar tissue, caused by infection with the virus-like bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis

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trachoma Scientific  

/ trə-kō′mə /

1. A contagious disease of the conjunctiva and cornea, caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis and characterized by granules of inflammatory tissue. It is a major cause of blindness in Asia and Africa.

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Other Word Forms

• trachomatous adjective

Etymology

Origin of trachoma

1685–95; < Greek trā́chōma roughness, equivalent to trāch ( ýs ) rough + -ōma -oma

Example Sentences

Given its limited resources, the Zambian government has to prioritize “mainstream” diseases that result in loss of life, like H.I.V., over neglected diseases like trachoma, he said.

From New York Times • Oct. 19, 2022

Since 2002, tens of millions of people have been treated for trachoma — and spared blindness.

From Washington Post • Jul. 1, 2020

Dr Kandei is a specialist in correcting blinding trachoma, the leading cause of preventable blindness in the world.

From BBC • Oct. 14, 2018

About 6 million people are blind from trachoma, a disease caused by the lack of clean water combined with poor hygiene practices.

From Textbooks • Sep. 6, 2018

It diagnosed the C of conjunctivitis, the F of favus, and the T of trachoma.

From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides