eMedicine Specialties > Ophthalmology > Lid

Trichiasis: Follow-up

Author: Robert H Graham, MD, Senior Associate Consultant, Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, Arizona
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Mar 24, 2009

Follow-up

Further Outpatient Care

Patients with trichiasis should receive follow-up care as needed.

Complications

  • Overly aggressive surgical treatment of entropion may lead to ectropion; this condition usually resolves with time.

    Bilateral involutional entropion. Note the perioc...

    Bilateral involutional entropion. Note the periocular redness from constant lid rubbing due to irritation.

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    Bilateral involutional entropion. Note the perioc...

    Bilateral involutional entropion. Note the periocular redness from constant lid rubbing due to irritation.

  • To avoid rubbing of the conjunctiva, all sutures should be resorbable and buried; a collagen shield or a bandage contact lens can also help avoid this problem.
  • Although not truly a complication, if only a few lashes are being epilated/ablated, warn the patient that the lashes may grow back or that new lashes may grow. Recurrence is common.
  • Discuss the normal complications of bleeding, infection, recurrence, need for more surgery, scarring, and cosmesis with all patients.

Prognosis

Prognosis is generally good. Frequent follow-up care and immediate attention to complications, recurrence, or corneal complications improve the long-term prognosis.

Patient Education

Instruct patients to watch for signs of new lash growth, and advise them to return for retreatment (if appropriate).

Miscellaneous

Medicolegal Pitfalls

The lashes can scratch the cornea and rarely cause a corneal ulcer.

 
Acknowledgments

The authors and editors of eMedicine gratefully acknowledge the contributions of previous coauthor, Ron W Pelton, MD, PhD, to the development and writing of this article.



More on Trichiasis

Overview: Trichiasis
Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Trichiasis
Treatment & Medication: Trichiasis
Follow-up: Trichiasis
Multimedia: Trichiasis
References
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References

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Further Reading

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Keywords

trichiasis, ingrown eyelashes, lash inversion, lid abnormality, eyelid abnormality, eyelash misdirection, lash misdirection, misdirected lashes, misdirected eyelashes

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Robert H Graham, MD, Senior Associate Consultant, Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, Arizona
Robert H Graham, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Medical Association, and Arizona Ophthalmological Society
Disclosure: WebMD/eMedicine Salary Employment

Medical Editor

Jorge G Camara, MD, Professor of Ophthalmology, Department of Surgery and Director of Fellowship Training Program in Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery for Countries Served by the Aloha Medical Mission, University of Hawaii John A Burns School of Medicine
Jorge G Camara, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Medical Association, and American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Simon K Law, MD, PharmD, Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, Jules Stein Eye Institute; Chief of Section of Ophthalmology Surgical Services, Department of Veterans Affairs Healthcare Center, West Los Angeles
Simon K Law, MD, PharmD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Glaucoma Society, and Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Managing Editor

Mark T Duffy, MD, PhD, Consulting Staff, Division of Oculoplastic, Orbito-facial, Lacrimal and Reconstructive Surgery, Green Bay Eye Clinic, BayCare Clinic; Medical Director, Advanced Cosmetic Solutions, A BayCare Clinic
Mark T Duffy, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Medical Association, American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Sigma Xi, and Society for Neuroscience
Disclosure: Allergan - Botox Cosmetic Consulting fee Consulting; Quest medical - lacrimal balloons Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Ortho-Neutrogenia Consulting fee Consulting

CME Editor

Lance L Brown, OD, MD, Ophthalmologist, Affiliated With Freeman Hospital and St John's Hospital, Regional Eye Center, Joplin, Missouri
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Hampton Roy Sr, MD, Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Hampton Roy Sr, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American College of Surgeons, and Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

 
 
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