River blindness, also known as onchocerciasis, is named after the blackflies that live near rivers and streams, which are the primary vectors of the disease. People who live near these rivers and are repeatedly bitten by infected blackflies are at higher risk of contracting the disease. Therefore, the word "river" is used to describe this type of blindness as it is closely associated with the bodies of water where the blackflies breed and live.
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Eye Diseases