tiol trachoma survey in Shillong

A Reporter

SHILLONG, June11: A team of optometrists and professiols deputed by the apex institute for eye care in the country, Dr Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, AIIMS, Delhi, are conducting rapid assessment on trachoma in as many as 10 clusters in Shillong.

The tiol Trachoma Survey is currently being conducted to find out the prevalence and magnitude of trachoma disease in the country and Shillong is one amongst the twenty-four districts to be surveyed.

Addressing newsmen on Thursday AIIMS, Head Community Ophthalmology, Prof Praveen said, "We are selecting those areas in the city where the chances of having trachoma are maximum. Trachoma is commonly seen in those areas which are poor… where the socio-economic conditions are bad, unhygienic and overcrowding."

Praveen said that the disease is usually spread by the flies from one person to the other. If there is lack of water and face is unclean, it is observed that the chance of having trachoma is higher.

He also informed that they are conducting a house-to-house visit in the clusters. In each cluster, teams are examining 50 children between the age of 1 to 9 years and also adults staying in those houses. A total of five children in the city have been detected with trachoma disease.

According to him, the children who are being affected by this disease are mostly those staying in Bara Bazaar, Goraline, and Sweeper lane.

Vashist said, "At least no one was found with blindness due to trachoma in Shillong. Overall, the burden of trachoma is very less and we may say it is almost elimited."