Health Programs

What is the magnitude of the problem?

Trachoma is endemic in 48 countries mostly in Africa and the Middle East, although a few countries in the Americas and Asia are also affected. Approximately 84 million people are affected by active trachoma. More than 10 million people are at immediate risk for blindness from trichiasis — the painful inward turning of the eyelashes from frequent trachoma infections. Although trachoma and trichiasis are easily preventable, the disease already has blinded more than 7 million people. In addition to the misery and pain of trichiasis and the disability caused by blindness, trachoma causes individual dependency upon others for care and impedes the economic development of whole nations.