What will happen if trichiasis is not treated?

Written by Li Zhen Dong
Ophthalmology
Updated on November 18, 2024
00:00
00:00

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.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Zhen Dong
Ophthalmology
37sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Zhen Dong
Ophthalmology
44sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Zhen Dong
Ophthalmology
44sec home-news-image

Can people with trichiasis undergo myopia surgery?

Generally, people with trichiasis should not undergo myopia surgery, as trichiasis primarily affects the eyeball. It causes abrasion to the cornea, affects the corneal epithelium, and can lead to neovascularization of the cornea and corneal pathology. Following the occurrence of trichiasis, surgical treatment should be considered. If there are only a few ingrown lashes, electrolysis of the eyelashes might be performed. After active treatment and once the condition has stabilized, the possibility of undergoing myopia surgery can be considered. Current options for myopia surgery include corneal laser reshaping surgery and ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens) surgery.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Tao Yuan
Ophthalmology
1min 4sec home-news-image

Why did a trichiasis suddenly grow?

A sudden formation of an ingrown eyelash is usually due to chronic inflammation in the eyelid margin area, which causes abnormalities in the eyelash follicles. Consequently, the direction of the eyelash growth no longer points straight forward but instead grows toward the eyeball. As the eyeball moves and blinks, the eyelash rubs against the corneal epithelium, causing noticeable symptoms such as a foreign body sensation, stabbing pain, congestion, redness, photophobia, tearing, and a decline in vision. One can visit the ophthalmology department of a hospital for a face-to-face examination and confirmation of the condition. Removing the ingrown eyelash can alleviate the symptoms, but recurrence is possible. If it recurs repeatedly, electrolysis treatment for ingrown eyelashes can be considered. This involves inserting a specially designed probe deep into the follicle of the ingrown eyelash and then passing an electric current through it. The electric current will destroy the follicle of the ingrown eyelash, making it less likely to recur.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Zhen Dong
Ophthalmology
49sec home-news-image

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.