In trachoma, the World Health Organization's SAFE strategy uses which classification for grading active disease? Grade TF (Trachomatous Inflammation-Follicular) requires:

• A Any follicles present in the lower fornix
• B Papillary hypertrophy only, with no follicles
• C Five or more follicles (minimum 0.5 mm diameter) in the upper tarsal conjunctiva ✓
• D Linear scarring (Arlt's line) in the upper tarsal conjunctiva

Explanation

The WHO simplified trachoma grading scale defines Trachomatous Inflammation-Follicular (TF) as the presence of five or more follicles of at least 0.5 mm diameter in the central part of the upper tarsal conjunctiva. This represents active trachoma requiring antibiotic treatment. TI (Trachomatous Inflammation-Intense) is pronounced inflammatory thickening of upper tarsal conjunctiva obscuring more than half the deep tarsal vessels. TS (Trachomatous Scarring) shows white lines/bands on upper tarsal plate. TT (Trachomatous Trichiasis) has at least one inturned lash. CO (Corneal Opacity) is the blinding end-stage.

Reference: Khurana Comprehensive Ophthalmology, 7th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.