What will happen if trichiasis is not treated?

Written by Li Zhen Dong
Ophthalmology
Updated on November 18, 2024
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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
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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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Can trichiasis cause corneal damage?

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 Zheng Xin
Ophthalmology
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The harms of trichiasis

Trichiasis refers to the condition where eyelashes grow backward and irritate the eyeball. There are many causes of trichiasis, including eye injuries such as burns which can lead to scar formation and subsequently scarring trichiasis. Other causes include blepharitis and meibomian gland dysfunction. The harm posed by trichiasis is significant; the misdirected growth of eyelashes towards the eyeball and their constant friction can lead to conjunctival congestion, corneal opacity, ingrowth of new blood vessels into the cornea, and potentially result in keratitis and corneal ulcers.

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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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Permanent treatment for trichiasis

Trichiasis refers to the condition where eyelashes grow inward towards the eyeball, and generally, there are two types. One type is caused by the inward turning of the eyelid, known as entropion. The treatment for this type of trichiasis involves correcting the entropion, which can be achieved through corrective surgery for entropion, thereby treating the trichiasis. The other type is simply the inward growth of the eyelashes themselves. This type of trichiasis can be treated with electrolysis, where an electric needle is used to destroy the hair follicles. Once the follicles are destroyed, the eyelashes will no longer regrow, effectively curing the condition.