The Naming Of Trachoma, Inclusion Conjunctivitis Disease

The naming of Trachoma, inclusion conjunctivitis disease, has come a long way to reach its present name. Its naming originated from the appearance of inclusions; foreign substances that are contained within the cytoplasm of cells. Why trachoma? The name is a transliteration of the Greek word for ‘roughness’ because of the typical white lumps that appear in the under surface of the upper eyelid which cause a roughened sensation. Not only has the naming of the disease come a long way, the history of trachoma goes back probably as far as the existence of man. The first documented evidence of the disease was five to ten millennia ago when humans settled together in fertile places such as ancient Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq to Egypt).†¦show more content†¦In some cases both phases occur simultaneously. We now know that trachoma is a tropical, contagious infection of the eye which begins after an incubation period of five to twelve days and is a major cause of preve ntable blindness in the world. According to a review published in 2013 approximately 1.2 million have lost their sight due to complications from the disease, and an estimated 40.6 million people suffer actively. The disease is indigenous to 58 countries, primarily in Africa, in which Ethiopia exhibits the highest rate of trachoma worldwide. Trachoma affects children in particular since they maintain close contact with people around them and do not keep their face free of secretions, yet the blinding effects do not appear until adulthood. According to the description of the disease it is clear that Trachoma affects the visual system in particular. The anatomy of this system contains several elements of which the accessory structures of the eye include the following: eyebrows, eyelids, conjunctiva, lacrimal apparatus, and external eye muscles. The function of eyebrows and the eyelids is protect the eyes; also the eyelids moisten the eyes by reflex blinking. Within the eyelids are t he orbicularis oculi and levator palpebrae superioris muscles which are anchored by tarsal plates. The