River blindness (Onchocerciasis)
What is river blindness?
Although river blindness is a leading cause of blindness, it is not a significant problem in Tanzania. River blindness is a worm infection that can lead to irreversible blindness. It is one of the leading causes of preventable blindness.
What is the cause of river blindness?
River blindness is caused by a parasitic worm that is transmitted to humans through the bite of a black fly and migrates into the eye where it reproduces and destroys the optic nerve. The black fly predominantly breeds in rivers.
What cures river blindness?
The infection can be treated. However the blindness, once occurred, is permanent. The infection is treated with Ivermectin. Infected people can be treated once every twelve months. The drug kills the offspring of the adult worms and thus helps to slow down the reproduction rate, resulting in fewer worms in the eye.
What prevents river blindness?
The drug Ivermectin is used in mass distribution campaigns. It is hoped to eliminate river blindness as one of the leading causes of blindness by 2020.
