A British man being held hostage by Somali pirates is suffering from a serious eye infection which could leave him blind, it has been reported.
Paul Chandler, from Tunbridge Wells, Kent, and his wife Rachel have been held for more than four months after they were captured while sailing from the Seychelles towards Tanzania.
A photographer who has filmed the couple since they were captured said the pirates have requested medicine to treat Mr Chandler's eyes.
Mohamed Dahir, a Somali freelance photographer, said the group contacted Dr Mohamed Helmi Hangul, in Mogadishu, who had assessed the couple previously.
Mr Dahir told the Mail on Sunday: "The pirates told the doctor that they tried to get the medicine for Paul but could not get hold of it.
"They are asking the doctor to deliver it to them."
Trachoma is caused by the Chlamydia trachomatis micro-organism which is spread by flies or through contact with eye discharge from an infected person.
Repeated infection can cause scarring to the inside of the eyelid which may cause it to fold, causing the lashes to rub on the eye.
Untreated, the condition can lead to blindness.
A gaunt-looking Mrs Chandler, who is being kept separate from her husband, said they were being treated "cruelly" by the pirates in footage broadcast by Sky News last month.
