Report of the 4th Global Scientific Meeting on Trachoma Geneva, 27–29 November 2018

Trachoma is the leading infectious cause of blindness (2). It is characterized by repeated conjunctival infection with particular strains of Chlamydia trachomatis. This scars the conjunctivae and, in some cases, leads to trichiasis with or without entropion. The abrasive action of eyelashes can damage the cornea. In 2018, trachoma affected the poorest residents of the poorest communities of 43 countries (3, 4)