June 6, 2013 is the 18th National Eye Care Day, and the theme of this year’s event is “Gathering the Chinese Dream, Eliminating Blinding Trachoma by 2016”. Trachoma is one of the eye diseases targeted by the World Health Organization’s “Vision 2020”. In the past, the incidence of trachoma was high, which greatly endangered the people’s eye health. With the improvement of China’s economic and social development and health conditions, the prevalence of trachoma has been significantly controlled, but it is still prevalent in individual areas and populations, and the problem of trachoma blindness has not been completely eradicated in China. Trachoma is a chronic infectious conjunctival keratitis caused by Chlamydia trachomatis, which is named trachoma because of its rough and uneven appearance on the surface of the lid conjunctiva, resembling sand grains. In the early stages of the disease process, there is infiltration of the conjunctiva, such as papillae and follicular hyperplasia, along with corneal vascular opacification; in the late stages, scarring of the affected lid conjunctiva occurs, resulting in eyelid entropion deformity, which aggravates corneal damage and can seriously affect vision or even cause blindness. The incubation period is 5 to 14 days, both eyes are affected, and it occurs mostly in childhood or adolescence. It is associated with poor hygiene and has a slow onset in both eyes. Symptoms in the acute phase include photophobia, tearing, foreign body sensation, and more mucus or mucopurulent discharge. The important hazard is the complications that occur in the chronic phase. Such as inversion of the eyelid, ptosis, lid adhesions, corneal clouding, and chronic lacrimal sacculitis. Trachoma is divided into three main phases: progressive active, regressive and complete scarring. Treatment is systemic and topical ocular medication. The course of eye drops is at least 10 to 12 weeks. Surgical correction of impingement and lid entropion is a key measure to prevent late stage trachoma scar formation causing blindness. Chlamydia trachomatis is often attached to the secretions of the patient’s eye, and any contact with this secretion can result in the opportunity for transmission of trachoma infection. Therefore, publicity and education should be strengthened to cultivate good hygiene habits. Do not rub your eyes with your hands, wash and dry towels and handkerchiefs regularly; treat trachoma patients actively and pay attention to the cleanliness of water sources.