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Trichiasis
How should I deal with just one inverted eyelash?
Having just one ingrown eyelash is a relatively mild symptom of trichiasis, but it can irritate the corneal epithelium, causing a sensation of a foreign body in the eye. For treatment, tweezers can be used to pluck the ingrown eyelash. Simply plucking the ingrown lash does not destroy the follicle that produces the ingrown eyelash, so recurrence is common. If the ingrown lashes recur frequently, electrolysis treatment can be considered. This involves inserting a specially designed probe into the follicle producing the ingrown lash and applying electricity to destroy the follicle, which helps prevent recurrence. However, electrolysis treatment for ingrown eyelashes can cause significant eye pain during the procedure. It is not recommended for elderly patients with underlying heart conditions.
Besides surgery, how can trichiasis be treated?
Patients with trichiasis can undergo electrolysis treatment for trichiasis in addition to surgical treatment to eliminate symptoms. This involves using a specially designed electric probe that enters the follicles of the misdirected eyelashes, and through the action of electric current, destroys the follicle, thereby preventing the formation of trichiasis. However, electrolysis treatment for trichiasis is only suitable for patients with a small number of misdirected eyelashes, as treating a large number of them can lead to the growth of scar tissue on the eyelid margin, causing complications such as entropion or ectropion. Patients with extensive trichiasis generally need to undergo surgery for correction and treatment.
What should be noted for trichiasis?
Patients with trichiasis should note the following: First, when trichiasis damages the corneal epithelium, causing noticeable symptoms of eye pain, foreign body sensation, photophobia, and tearing, medication that promotes the repair of the corneal epithelium is needed, such as recombinant human epidermal growth factor eye drops, recombinant bovine basic fibroblast growth factor eye drops, etc. Second, once trichiasis leads to conjunctivitis, keratitis, and other infectious eye diseases, it is necessary to promptly use antibiotic eye drops for treatment, such as tobramycin eye drops, ofloxacin eye drops, etc. Third, a small amount of trichiasis can be plucked or treated with electrolysis, but for numerous trichiasis caused by entropion, surgical correction of the entropion is required for cure. (Please follow medical advice when using medications.)
Will the surgery for trichiasis recur?
Entropion is treated surgically by removing a part of the eyelid skin to correct the entropion and prevent the eyelashes from irritating the conjunctiva or the cornea. The surgical outcomes for this condition are generally good. Over time, as eyelids may become more lax, entropion can recur. However, this is not considered a recurrence but rather a progression of the condition. Following these occurrences, the primary focus should be on maintaining good eye hygiene, proper eye usage, avoiding staying up late, consuming a bland diet, and avoiding spicy and irritating foods. Regular follow-ups are recommended, along with consuming fruits and vegetables that are high in vitamins E, A, and C.
Why did a trichiasis suddenly grow?
A sudden formation of an ingrown eyelash is usually due to chronic inflammation in the eyelid margin area, which causes abnormalities in the eyelash follicles. Consequently, the direction of the eyelash growth no longer points straight forward but instead grows toward the eyeball. As the eyeball moves and blinks, the eyelash rubs against the corneal epithelium, causing noticeable symptoms such as a foreign body sensation, stabbing pain, congestion, redness, photophobia, tearing, and a decline in vision. One can visit the ophthalmology department of a hospital for a face-to-face examination and confirmation of the condition. Removing the ingrown eyelash can alleviate the symptoms, but recurrence is possible. If it recurs repeatedly, electrolysis treatment for ingrown eyelashes can be considered. This involves inserting a specially designed probe deep into the follicle of the ingrown eyelash and then passing an electric current through it. The electric current will destroy the follicle of the ingrown eyelash, making it less likely to recur.
Is it better to open the eye corner for inverted eyelashes?
Patients cannot be cured of trichiasis by undergoing canthoplasty. Symptoms of trichiasis generally do not improve after canthoplasty, as trichiasis is usually caused by the abnormal growth direction of the eyelashes at the edge of the eyelid towards the cornea, or by spasm of the orbicularis oculi muscle, causing the eyelid edge to roll towards the eyeball. Trichiasis can injure the corneal tissue, leading to eye congestion, redness, foreign body sensation, pain, photophobia, and tearing. For a small amount of trichiasis, the lashes can be plucked with tweezers, but this often recurs. If trichiasis recurs frequently, electrolysis treatment can be performed to destroy the follicles growing the ingrown lashes, thereby minimizing recurrence. For a large amount of trichiasis caused by entropion, surgical treatment is needed to correct the entropion for a cure.
If trichiasis is not treated for a long time, what are the consequences?
If trichiasis is not actively treated, or is left untreated for a long period of time, it can lead to inflammation of the conjunctiva. If the cornea becomes inflamed, it can severely affect vision. The occurrence of keratitis can lead to the formation of corneal ulcers and corneal perforation, which can result in blindness. Furthermore, even if the keratitis heals, it can cause varying degrees of corneal opacities such as nebula, macula, and leucoma, which also severely affect vision. Another issue is the growth of new blood vessels on the cornea, which decreases corneal transparency and affects vision. Thus, although trichiasis may seem a minor issue, the consequences of not treating it actively can be very severe.
Do a few inverted eyelashes need surgery?
If there are only a few inverted eyelashes, electrolysis of the eyelashes can be conducted. If there are many, surgical correction can be considered. The technology for surgical correction is currently quite mature, so there are generally not many problems. Inverted eyelashes must be treated. If left untreated, they can cause damage to the cornea. Damage to the cornea can lead to the growth of new blood vessels, resulting in a thin haze over the cornea, spots, and white patches, severely affecting vision. Although inverted eyelashes might seem like a minor issue, if not treated promptly, they can lead to serious complications. However, complete recovery is possible with treatment. It’s important to rest regularly, reduce close-up tasks, and use some corneal protective eye drops, such as sodium hyaluronate eye drops, and anti-inflammatory eye drops, such as levofloxacin eye drops. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor.)
Can inverted eyelashes be fixed with an eyelash curler?
In general, it is not advisable to pluck inverted eyelashes with tweezers, as the more you pluck, the thicker the inverted eyelashes become, making them more likely to injure the cornea and conjunctiva. This means the eyelashes become harder, creating a vicious cycle. If you have inverted eyelashes, it’s important to actively treat the condition: if there are few eyelashes, electrolysis can be done; if there are many, corrective surgery for inverted eyelashes is recommended and generally effective. During the period of dealing with inverted eyelashes, you should use anti-inflammatory eye drops and eye drops that protect the corneal epithelium, such as Levofloxacin eye drops and Sodium Hyaluronate eye drops. It's important to rest, avoid rubbing your eyes with dirty hands, maintain a light diet, avoid spicy and irritating foods, and monitor your vision.
What will happen if trichiasis is not treated?
If trichiasis is not treated and allowed to progress, it can cause damage to the conjunctiva and the cornea. Particularly, corneal damage can lead to keratitis and corneal neovascularization, severely affecting vision and the transparency of the cornea. During treatment, if scarring occurs, such as thin corneal opacities, plaques, or leukomas, it can severely affect vision, and even lead to blindness. Therefore, while trichiasis itself is not severe, not treating it can lead to serious consequences. Currently, the main treatments for trichiasis include electrolysis of the eyelashes and surgical treatment, along with the use of eye drops, which generally results in a quick recovery.