Will trichiasis cause the eyes to tear?

Written by Wang Fang
Ophthalmology
Updated on September 05, 2024
00:00
00:00

Trichiasis can cause the eyes to tear. Patients with trichiasis exhibit significant tearing symptoms because the cornea is rich in nerve endings and is very sensitive to foreign stimuli. In trichiasis, the eyelashes poke and irritate the cornea, thus stimulating the nerve endings and causing reflex tearing. Therefore, patients with trichiasis should be treated promptly to avoid irreversible damage to the cornea, such as scars or corneal ulcers. For minor trichiasis, local electrolysis can be used to destroy the hair follicles so they no longer grow; for more severe cases, it is recommended to visit a hospital for surgical correction of the trichiasis.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zheng Xin
Ophthalmology
38sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wang Fang
Ophthalmology
55sec home-news-image

Entropion usually falls under the ophthalmology department.

Trichiasis should be treated by an ophthalmologist. Trichiasis is an eye condition caused by the tension factors of the eyelid's soft tissue, leading to the eyelashes attaching to or poking the surface of the eyeball, causing discomfort in the eyes. Depending on the severity of the condition, the following treatments can generally be chosen: First, if it is just a few lashes, electrolysis can be performed on these eyelashes. Electrolysis can destroy the few lashes stimulating the eyeball, preventing their regrowth and thereby relieving trichiasis. Second, if there are a larger number of lashes involved, trichiasis correction surgery should be chosen, which is a surgical treatment. After the surgery, the eyelashes can be made to turn outward, no longer irritating the eyeball.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Zhuo
Ophthalmology
46sec home-news-image

Can people with trichiasis exercise?

Do you mean that it involves usual activities such as running or other sports? Trichiasis primarily results from the poor positioning of eyelashes, which touch the cornea, mainly damaging the corneal epithelium. Treatment can be based on the extent of trichiasis. If there are many inverted eyelashes, a correction surgery for trichiasis can be performed. If there are fewer, plucking them is possible, and corneal nutrients can be administered, such as Hailu eye drops and the antibiotic eye drops ofloxacin. It does not affect normal activities and sports in general. I am not sure if this answers your question; this is a general description of the condition of trichiasis.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Zhuo
Ophthalmology
1min 4sec home-news-image

How to deal with inverted eyelashes

For trichiasis, it first depends on the nature of the ingrown eyelashes. If there are only a few, such as one or two, it is recommended to pluck them out. For some people, once these are plucked, the new eyelashes may grow back in the correct position, so no further treatment is necessary. If the ingrown eyelashes recur repeatedly as individual lashes, electrolysis of the hair follicle can be performed to destroy the follicle, preventing the eyelashes from growing back. However, because this is a destructive procedure, many hospitals have discontinued it, though some still offer this treatment. If there are many ingrown eyelashes, appearing in rows, the treatment depends on the position of the eyelid. Eyelash correction surgery may be necessary. Depending on the specific situation, excision of the tarsal plate to correct the trichiasis can be considered as well.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zheng Xin
Ophthalmology
37sec home-news-image

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.