Raising the dosage of antibiotics to twice a year can combat against serious eye infections that lead to blindness, according to a new study published in the Feb. 20 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
The ocular strain of chlamydia can cause trachoma, a contagious eye disease and the leading cause of blindness — worldwide. It is most common in sub-Saharan Africa.
The World Health Organization implemented programs to reduce trachoma and mathematical models suggest elimination of the ocular disease is possible, but may require more than biannual treatments of antibiotics.
The authors suggested it would take two years to eliminate trachoma in 95% of villages in sub-Saharan Africa.
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This leads me to ask the question: Is this possible?
Giving antibiotics twice a year for two years? In sub-Saharan Africa?
This seems good in theory, but a bit ambitious lofty for reality. I am not aware of the situation in Africa, so this could be possible. But I find it hard to believe.
Friday, February 22, 2008
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Dr. Frank Richards of the Carter Center, a leader in the near-eradication of trachoma (river blindness), is the next Voices from the Vanguard speaker. You can hear him tell this remarkable success story on March 18 at 6 pm in the UGA Chapel.
Be there!
One of the things that we in the more developed countries have to battle in countries that are not as developed is the perception that "they" can't. "They" don't have watches and won't be able to know when to take their medication. "They" aren't smart enough to know when to come to the clinic to get a refill or fill out forms, etc. The truth is that "they" are just as smart, just as capable and willing to take control of their health as "we" are, sometimes even moreso. It's about wealth, health and opportunity.
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