Can I pluck an inverted eyelash myself?

Written by Li Zhen Dong
Ophthalmology
Updated on September 09, 2024
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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.

Other Voices

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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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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.

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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.

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Ophthalmology
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Is praying to gods and worshipping Buddha effective for trichiasis?

Trichiasis generally has two types, one is simple trichiasis, which can be treated through electrolysis. By using an electric needle to destroy the hair follicle, the follicle will no longer produce eyelashes. The other type is caused by entropion of the eyelid, which requires surgical correction of the entropion to be cured. Therefore, the treatment of trichiasis needs to be conducted in a hospital; praying to gods and worshipping is of no effect and serves only as a psychological effect.