Can trichiasis cause corneal damage?

Written by Li Zhen Dong
Ophthalmology
Updated on September 15, 2024
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If trichiasis persists in rubbing against the cornea, it will cause damage to the cornea. Long-term abrasion can lead to corneal neovascularization, damage the corneal epithelium, and leave opacity, sometimes forming speckled opacity or even leukoplakia, severely affecting vision. Once trichiasis occurs, active treatment is necessary. If there are only a few lashes involved, electrolysis of the eyelashes can be done; if there are many, surgery is essential. The surgery for trichiasis is generally successful, fully capable of correcting the condition, protecting the cornea, preserving vision, and alleviating the symptoms of the patient.

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Written by Tao Yuan
Ophthalmology
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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.)

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Written by Li Zhen Dong
Ophthalmology
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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.

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Written by Zheng Xin
Ophthalmology
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Will surgery for inverted eyelashes leave scars?

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
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Can trichiasis be noticeable?

Trichiasis can be clearly seen with the naked eye; it causes friction on the conjunctiva, either on the sclera or the cornea, leading to damage to the corneal epithelium. This can result in keratitis, corneal neovascularization, and if not treated promptly, it can lead to further pathological changes in the cornea such as thinning, leukoma, and speckled opacities, severely impacting vision. Simple cases of minimal trichiasis can be treated with electrolysis, but more severe cases should be surgically treated. Complete recovery is possible after surgical treatment for trichiasis.

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Written by Li Zhen Dong
Ophthalmology
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Is it normal to have one or two inverted eyelashes?

Having one or two eyelashes growing inwards is abnormal. Normally, eyelashes should not rub against the conjunctiva and cornea. If this occurs, do not pluck the eyelashes. Electrolysis surgery can be performed on the eyelashes, and after the surgery, the inturned lashes will not grow back, thus they will no longer affect the conjunctiva and cornea. If inflammation of the conjunctiva and cornea occurs, anti-inflammatory eye drops, such as levofloxacin, and sodium hyaluronate eye drops, which protect the corneal epithelium, can be used for effective treatment. Generally, these issues are not serious and do not affect vision. However, if vision is impacted, further examination and treatment should be sought from an ophthalmologist.