Trachoma treatment options depend on the stage of development.

Medications

In the early stages of trachoma, treatment with antibiotics alone may be enough to eliminate the infection. The two drugs currently in use include a tetracycline eye ointment and oral azithromycin (Zithromax). Although azithromycin appears to be more effective than tetracycline, azithromycin is more expensive. In poor communities, the drug used often depends on which one is available and affordable.

Surgery

Treatment of later stages of trachoma — including painful eyelid deformities — may require surgery.

In eyelid rotation surgery (bilamellar tarsal rotation), a doctor makes an incision in the scarred lid and rotates

the eyelashes away from the cornea.

The procedure limits the progression of corneal scarring and can improve eyesight.

Generally, this procedure can be performed on an outpatient basis. The procedure takes less than 15 minutes and has a good long-term success rate.

If the cornea has become clouded enough to seriously impair vision, corneal transplantation is an option that offers some hope of improved vision; frequently, however, the results are not good.