trachoma

[ truh-koh-muh ]

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.

trachoma

/ 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

trachoma

/ 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.

Derived Forms

• trachomatous, adjective

Other Words From

• tra·chom·a·tous [tr, uh, -, kom, -, uh, -t, uh, s, -, koh, -m, uh, -], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of trachoma¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of trachoma¹

C17: from New Latin, from Greek trakhōma roughness, from trakhus rough

Example Sentences

In May 2021, for example, Britain abruptly ended a £1 million annual donation to a program that provided treatment for trachoma — a bacterial eye infection — to 1.7 million people in Zambia.

From New York Times

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

From Washington Post

The End Fund is working mightily to eradicate elephantiasis and other “neglected tropical diseases,” including river blindness and trachoma, both excruciatingly painful causes of blindness.

From New York Times

Approximately 11.9 million people have impaired vision or blindness caused by glaucoma, diabetes and trachoma that could have been avoided.

From The Guardian

Malaria, a severe eye infection called trachoma, lymphatic filariasis - a chronic swelling sometimes known as elephantiasis - and intestinal worms are particular problems.

From BBC