What is it?

Trichiasis is the growth of the eyelashes into the eyeball. This causes a continuous rubbing of the eyelashes against the bulbar conjunctival (the one that covers the eyeball) and the cornea, which causes inflammation and eye irritation.

Causes

In many cases there is no responsible cause for the condition.
Trichiasis can be due to trauma, autoimmune diseases, chronic eye inflammation / infection, eyelid inflammation.

There are some processes that are associated with an increased risk of trichiasis, such as herpes zoster, epiblepharon (there is excess skin around the eye and a crease forms, causing the eyelashes to stand upright) , blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelid margin), trachoma (infectious disease), and skin disorders.

Who can get trichiasis?

Anyone can get trichiasis, although it is more common in adults.

Symptoms

Trichiasis causes a picture of eye irritation, with hyperemia (redness), foreign body sensation (grit), and tearing. The most severe cases can significantly damaging the cornea, leading to decreased vision, corneal ulcers, and pain.

Diagnosis

A standard ophthalmological examination, with special attention to the anterior segment and the eyelid dynamics, is sufficient. Some cases are intermittent, trichiasis is not evident except after a forced closure of the eyelids.

Treatment

There are different therapeutic options, the indication of which will depend on the characteristics of the condition and the ophthalmologist’s preferences.

·         Eyelashes removal: It is done with a tweezers in the consultation with topical anesthesia. It is usually reserved for cases with few affected eyelashes

·         Electrolysis: In this process electricity is used to permanently remove the eyelash. Although effective, it is time consuming and can be painful.

·         Laser: The eyelash and follicle are burned using an argon laser.

·         Cryotherapy: Eliminates eyelashes and follicles by freezing them. Cryosurgery is effective, but complications can occur.

·         Surgery: For resistant eyelashes that have not been removed by other methods.

Prognosis

In most cases the prognosis is good. When trichiasis is due to secondary problems, such as epiblepharon, the prognosis is somewhat worse.