Does trichiasis require a fundus examination?

Written by Zheng Xin
Ophthalmology
Updated on September 13, 2024
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Trichiasis refers to a condition where the eyelashes grow inward toward the eyeball, a sign related to the eye. Common symptoms include a foreign body sensation in the eye, photophobia, tearing, and even eye pain. Generally, an ophthalmologist can confirm the diagnosis with an examination under a slit lamp microscope. Therefore, it is not necessary to perform a fundus examination for trichiasis; a diagnosis can be clearly established just by using a slit lamp microscope examination.

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Can opening the eye corner cure trichiasis?

Trichiasis, if caused by epicanthus, can be corrected by canthoplasty. If it is not caused by epicanthus but by entropion of the eyelid, canthoplasty will not be effective. For trichiasis with few lashes involved, electrolysis can be used for treatment. If there are many lashes involved in trichiasis, entropion surgery can be performed. The surgery is minor and complete recovery is possible; usually, dressings are changed after surgery and recovery can be expected within about a week. If trichiasis severely wears down the cornea, active treatment should be sought to protect vision and the cornea.

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Written by Tao Yuan
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What should I do if trachoma causes entropion and trichiasis?

Trachoma is a common ophthalmic disease caused by Chlamydia infection of the conjunctival tissue of the eye, resulting in inflammation. Trachoma can lead to substantial scarring of the conjunctiva. As scar tissue contracts, it can cause the eyelids to curl towards the eyeball, leading to entropion and trichiasis. Initially, it is necessary to use antibiotic eye drops to eliminate the Chlamydia infection and prevent the condition from worsening. Commonly used treatments include Levofloxacin eye drops, Rifampicin eye drops, and Sulfacetamide Sodium eye drops. Once the infection is completely eliminated, surgical correction of the entropion can be performed to alleviate the irritation caused by trichiasis to the patient's eyeball. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Wang Fang
Ophthalmology
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Will trichiasis cause the eyes to tear?

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.

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Written by Li Zhen Dong
Ophthalmology
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Can vision affected by trichiasis be restored?

If trichiasis affects vision, it indicates that the abrasion of the cornea by the eyelashes has reached a certain degree, and active treatment is necessary. The main goal of the treatment is to prevent the future formation of corneal haze, spotted haze, or leukoma, which can severely impact vision. With active treatment, these conditions generally do not develop, so although trichiasis is a minor condition, if not treated actively, it can lead to serious complications. The primary treatments for trichiasis involve the use of eye drops, such as levofloxacin eye drops and sodium hyaluronate eye drops. If the number of misdirected lashes is small, electrolysis of the eyelashes can be performed. If there are many, surgical treatment may be necessary to correct the inward turning of the eyelid. With active treatment, complete recovery is generally possible. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Li Zhen Dong
Ophthalmology
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If trichiasis is not treated for a long time, what are the consequences?

If trichiasis is not actively treated, or is left untreated for a long period of time, it can lead to inflammation of the conjunctiva. If the cornea becomes inflamed, it can severely affect vision. The occurrence of keratitis can lead to the formation of corneal ulcers and corneal perforation, which can result in blindness. Furthermore, even if the keratitis heals, it can cause varying degrees of corneal opacities such as nebula, macula, and leucoma, which also severely affect vision. Another issue is the growth of new blood vessels on the cornea, which decreases corneal transparency and affects vision. Thus, although trichiasis may seem a minor issue, the consequences of not treating it actively can be very severe.