Trachoma grading mnemonic

WHO simplified grading of trachoma

The mnemonic

FISTO

What each word stands for

  • FTF: trachomatous inflammation, follicular
  • ITI: trachomatous inflammation, intense
  • STS: trachomatous scarring
  • TTT: trachomatous trichiasis
  • OCO: corneal opacity

Why it matters clinically

Guides community treatment: antibiotics for TF/TI, surgery for TT.

Where it stops being reliable

Does not cover the older MacCallan staging.

Teaching aid, still awaiting independent review. Confirm facts in a standard source.

More mnemonics

Common questions

What is the Trachoma grading mnemonic?

FISTO. It helps you recall: WHO simplified grading of trachoma.

What does "F" stand for?

TF: trachomatous inflammation, follicular

What does "I" stand for?

TI: trachomatous inflammation, intense

What does "S" stand for?

TS: trachomatous scarring

What are all the parts of the FISTO mnemonic?

F: TF: trachomatous inflammation, follicular; I: TI: trachomatous inflammation, intense; S: TS: trachomatous scarring; T: TT: trachomatous trichiasis; O: CO: corneal opacity.

Which topic does this mnemonic belong to?

It belongs to Trachoma grading in Ophthalmology.

Where does this mnemonic stop being reliable?

Does not cover the older MacCallan staging.

How is this useful clinically?

Guides community treatment: antibiotics for TF/TI, surgery for TT.

How do I make this mnemonic stick?

Say it aloud, write it from memory tomorrow, then again in a week. Then test yourself on a Ophthalmology question about Trachoma grading.

Is this a standard mnemonic?

It is a teaching aid written or adapted by our team. Some resemble ones students share informally. Check any fact that matters in a standard source.