Trachoma, caused by Chlamydia trachomatis serotypes A, B, Ba, and C, is graded using the WHO simplified grading system. The stage associated with the HIGHEST risk of corneal blindness due to entropion and trichiasis is:

• A Trachomatous inflammation — follicular (TF)
• B Trachomatous inflammation — intense (TI)
• C Trachomatous trichiasis (TT) ✓
• D Trachomatous scarring (TS)

Explanation

Trachomatous trichiasis (TT) — misdirection of one or more eyelashes rubbing on the cornea — is the stage of immediate risk for corneal abrasion, vascularization, and scarring leading to blindness. TT requires urgent lid surgery (bilamellar tarsal rotation) to prevent corneal damage. TS (scarring) is the preceding stage causing the cicatricial entropion that leads to TT. TF is active early follicular inflammation; TI is intense active inflammation with >5 follicles in the upper tarsal conjunctiva. The WHO SAFE strategy targets: Surgery (TT), Antibiotics (azithromycin), Facial cleanliness, Environmental improvement.

Reference: Khurana Comprehensive Ophthalmology, 7th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.