Will surgery for inverted eyelashes leave scars?

Written by Zheng Xin

Ophthalmology

Updated on September 26, 2024

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The types of trichiasis can be divided into two categories. One type is simple trichiasis, where the eyelashes grow inward. Its treatment can be through electrolysis, which involves using an electric needle to destroy the hair follicle before plucking it out, preventing future eyelash growth from that follicle. The other type is caused by entropion of the eyelid, which requires corrective surgery for the inward-turning eyelid, involving an incision in the skin. Therefore, treatment of this type of trichiasis will result in scars on the skin.

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Written by Li Zhen Dong

Ophthalmology

46sec

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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.

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Written by Li Zhen Dong

Ophthalmology

55sec

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Does trichiasis need to be corrected?

Trichiasis must be treated because it can cause damage to the conjunctiva and cornea. Damage to the cornea can lead to unnecessary corneal inflammation, thinning of the cornea, spotty opacity, scarring, and neovascularization, seriously affecting vision. Therefore, proactive treatment is essential. If there are only a few lashes involved in trichiasis, electrolysis can be used for treatment. If there are many lashes involved, surgical treatment is necessary. During this period, anti-inflammatory eye drops should be used, such as levofloxacin eye drops and erythromycin eye ointment, along with eye drops that protect the corneal epithelium, such as sodium hyaluronate and calf blood deproteinized extract drops. With these treatments, complete recovery is possible. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor)

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Written by Zheng Xin

Ophthalmology

33sec

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Does trichiasis require a fundus examination?

Trichiasis refers to a condition where the eyelashes grow inward toward the eyeball, a sign related to the eye. Common symptoms include a foreign body sensation in the eye, photophobia, tearing, and even eye pain. Generally, an ophthalmologist can confirm the diagnosis with an examination under a slit lamp microscope. Therefore, it is not necessary to perform a fundus examination for trichiasis; a diagnosis can be clearly established just by using a slit lamp microscope examination.

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Written by Tao Yuan

Ophthalmology

55sec

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Will there be scars after entropion surgery?

After the surgery for trichiasis, scars may remain in the eyelid area. However, because the skin on the eyelids has a strong healing ability, the scars usually are not conspicuous. Trichiasis is usually caused by a spasm in the orbicularis oculi muscle inside the eyelid, leading to entropion. Eyelashes poking toward the corneal tissue scratch the corneal epithelium with each blink, causing redness, eye pain, foreign body sensation, photophobia, and tearing. If not treated promptly, it can easily lead to keratitis and may form scars within the corneal tissue, reducing corneal transparency and thus affecting the patient’s vision. Treatment typically requires surgery to remove excess loose skin on the eyelids and to eliminate part of the spasmodic orbicularis oculi muscle, returning the eyelid to its normal position and alleviating the symptoms.

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Written by Li Zhen Dong

Ophthalmology

49sec

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Can I pluck an inverted eyelash myself?

It is best not to pluck ingrown eyelashes yourself, as they will grow back even harder than before, and will grow irregularly in multiple directions instead of just outward. This will cause the eyelashes to grow disorderly. Ingrown eyelashes generally cause abrasion to the conjunctiva and cornea. If there are few ingrown eyelashes, treatment can be done by propping them up; if there are many, surgical treatment can be considered. To protect the corneal epithelium from ingrown eyelashes, certain eye drops like sodium hyaluronate may be used, along with anti-inflammatory eye drops like levofloxacin. With active treatment, recovery is usually complete. If not properly treated, it could gradually lead to corneal diseases, severely affecting vision.