Optimizing cluster survey designs for estimating trachomatous inflammation–follicular within trachoma control programs

•Surveys are the primary tool used to determine the need for trachoma interventions•One-size-fits-all survey designs are likely an inefficient use of funds in many instances•Our study aimed to evaluate the efficiency and precision of alternative survey designs•Sampling < 30 clusters often achieves equally precise estimates, with less cost waste•Survey designs should be evidence based where data are available