Prevalence of trachoma-related trichiasis and corneal opacity in rural Myanmar: the Meiktila Eye Study.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the prevalence of trachomatous trichiasis and corneal opacity (CO) within central Myanmar.

DESIGN

Population-based cross-sectional ophthalmic survey.

PARTICIPANTS

Random, stratified, cluster sampling of the inhabitants > or =40 years of age from villages in the Meiktila District was performed; 2481 eligible participants were identified and 2076 participated in the study.

METHODS

Visual acuity was measured using an E Snellen chart at 6 meters. Lid, ocular surface, and anterior segment examinations were performed at the slit lamp.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Trachoma was graded as trachomatous trichiasis (TT) or CO according to the World Health Organization grading system.

RESULTS

The population prevalence of trachoma (TT and CO) was 2.6% (95% confidence interval [CI]. 1.67%-3.42%). For every 1-year increase in age, the odds of trachoma increased by 5.3% (95% CI, 4.9%-5.7%). There was no significant effect of gender on the prevalence of trachoma (P = 0.5). No formal schooling was a strong predictor of trachoma (odds ratio, [OR], 4.9; 95% CI, 3.9-6.1), and having <3 children in the house was protective (OR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.61-0.93); however, neither occupation nor the number of people in a household had an effect on trachoma.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of blinding trachoma in central Myanmar remains relatively low. This is a tribute to the success of the Burma Trachoma Control Program and demonstrates the need for such a program to remain an integral part of public health care and community health services to further diminish the prevalence of this condition. This will be facilitated by a focus on trachoma risk factors and further research into the prevalence of inflammatory trachoma within the pediatric population.