Can trichiasis cause corneal damage?

Written by Li Zhen Dong
Ophthalmology
Updated on September 15, 2024
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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 Tao Yuan
Ophthalmology
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What should be noted for trichiasis?

Patients with trichiasis should note the following: First, when trichiasis damages the corneal epithelium, causing noticeable symptoms of eye pain, foreign body sensation, photophobia, and tearing, medication that promotes the repair of the corneal epithelium is needed, such as recombinant human epidermal growth factor eye drops, recombinant bovine basic fibroblast growth factor eye drops, etc. Second, once trichiasis leads to conjunctivitis, keratitis, and other infectious eye diseases, it is necessary to promptly use antibiotic eye drops for treatment, such as tobramycin eye drops, ofloxacin eye drops, etc. Third, a small amount of trichiasis can be plucked or treated with electrolysis, but for numerous trichiasis caused by entropion, surgical correction of the entropion is required for cure. (Please follow medical advice when using medications.)

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Written by Wang Fang
Ophthalmology
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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.

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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 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 Li Zhen Dong
Ophthalmology
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Can I pluck an inverted eyelash myself?

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.