Recurrent trichiasis is a persistent annoyance and, too often, resists conventional treatment. We tried the application of argon laser in the treatment of trichiasis. The technique involves the destruction of the follicles of the abnormal cilia. This method proved safe, convenient, precise, and effective in 6 cases out of 6. The technique is most suitable when a few fine cilia are involved, but repeated treatment may be required for more and thicker eyelashes.
Argon* ; Cilia ; Eyelashes ; Trichiasis*

BACKGROUND: Eyelash ptosis(ELP) is a common finding in patients with long-standing leprosy. However, it has rarely been reported in the literature previously, because it has been diagnosed as trichiasis or entropion. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of ELP in Hansen's disease. METHODS: We took both frontal and lateral photographs of eyes in 20 patients and evaluated the degree of ptosis using a 4-point rating scale, in which 0 indicates no ptosis; 1, minimal; 2, moderate; and 3, severe. The evaluation was also performed in 20 normal persons as control group. RESULTS: All patients demonstrated ELP. In general, severity of ptosis in patient group is greater than that in control group. While the mean eyelash ptosis rating was 2.0+/-0.6 in the latter, it was 0.6+/-0.4 in the former, which is statistically significant (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: ELP is common in the patients with Hansen's disease and moderate to severe forms occurred more commonly in disease group compared with control group. ELP must be considered as a characteristic ocular finding in long-standing leprosy.
Eye ; Humans ; Leprosy ; Prevalence ; Trichiasis

We applied the cryosurgical technique to treat 10 selected patients with trichiasis. AmoHs retinal probe (CO2) was applied on the lids with temperature of -40 degrees C - -50 degrees C for 30 seconds using the double, rapid-freeze, slow-thaw technique. We observed recurrent trichiasis in a case, but retreatment by double freeze-thaw cycle was successful.
Cryosurgery* ; Humans ; Retinaldehyde ; Retreatment ; Trichiasis*

Trichiasis is usually associated with congenital entropion or conjunctival destruction from disease or injuries. Cicatricial entropion follows scarring of the palpebral conjunctiva, which may be caused by chemical injuries, surgical procedures, trauma and infections. Numerous surgical procedures have been described for correction of trichiasis and cicatricial entropion in accordance with the severity and location of the condition. We have treated partial trichiasis in 2 cases(4 lids),(one involving nasal one forth of the upper lid with corrected congenital ptosis and the other in temporal one forth of the upper lid with narrow palpebral fissure) and cicatricial entropion on the middle one forth of the upper lid in 3 cases(3 lids) with transposition of skin flaps. The resuits were satisfactory.
Cicatrix ; Conjunctiva ; Entropion* ; Intraoperative Complications ; Skin* ; Trichiasis*

As a modality of effective treatment for trichiasis, authors performed experimental study of the radio frequency application(Mehl's method) to the cilia of four rabbit eyes with the different application times(10, 30, 60, 180 seconds). For the control, electrolysis to the cilia of the two eyes, and two eyes without any application were observed histopathologically. Regardless of the radio frequency application time, the radio frequency applied eyelids did not reveal any gross changes, and the selective degenerative changes(pyknotic, vacuolar, and karyorrhaxis) were observed microscopically in the hair regeneration part(internal root sheath of hair, hair matrix, and papillae of hair). In the electrolysed eyelids, gross scar and severe necrotic changes were appeared in microscopic findings. As a result of our observation, it is indicated that the application of radio frequency as a treatment for trichiasis, in compare with the electrolysis, revealed less destructive to the adjacent tissue, with more selective changes on the portion for hair regeneration.
Cicatrix ; Cilia* ; Electrolysis ; Eyelids ; Hair ; Regeneration ; Trichiasis

PURPOSE: To evaluate the functional and cosmetic results of trichiasis treatment between the argon laser epilation(Group A) and tarsotomy(Group B). METHODS: Twenty-seven patients with diffuse lower lid trichiasis, whose post-treatment follow-up periods were longer than 3 months, were reviewed retrospectively. Functionally, 14 of 16 patients(89.6%) in group A were satisfied, whereas 9 of 11 patients(84.0%) were in group B. And cosmetically, 10 of 16 patients(62.9%) in group A were satisfied, whereas 8 of 11 patients(79.0%) were in group B. The functional results were similar between the two groups(p>0.05), but the cosmetic results were better in group B than in group A(p<0.05) CONCLUSIONS: The inferior tarsotomy appears to be an effective surgical procedure in patients with diffuse lower lid trichiasis.
Argon ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Trichiasis*

We evaluated the efficacy of the full-thickness pentagonal wedge resection for localized trichiasis and distichiasis. Fourteen eyes of eleven patients, who were diagnosed to have trichiasis and distichiasis from October 1995 to October 1997 and had more than 10 aberrant cilia that were clustered together, were included in this study. More than 2 months later, we examined clinical symptoms, recurrent aberrant cilia, and complications. There was no recurrence in 11 lids. In 3 lids there were one to three recurrent aberrant cilia around resection margins, and the patients had mild foreign body sensations. In 2 of 3 cases of symptomatic recurrence, symptoms improved after argon laser treatment. Although one case showed recurrence after argon laser treatment, the patient remained asymptomatic. There were no significant complications including postoperative scarring. Therefore, we suggest that the full-thickness pentagonal wedge resection may be simple and effective for the treatment of trichiasis and distichiasis clustered with many aberrant cilia, especially in high risk patients who have potential for corneoconjunctival complications.
Argon ; Cicatrix ; Cilia ; Foreign Bodies ; Humans ; Recurrence ; Sensation ; Trichiasis*

Fifty-four marginal rotation procedures for cicatrical entropion and marginal entropion were performed in twenty-eight patients (8 males, 20 females). The age ranged from 4 to 74 years old (meant 51.1 years old). After the follow up periods of 6 to 48 months, excellent correction of the eyelid margin and good cosmetic appearance were noticed in most cases, but nine cases combined with severe trichiasis showed recurred trichiasis requiring reoperation.
Entropion ; Eyelids ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Reoperation ; Trichiasis

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of mitomycin C (MMC) on eyelash regrowth in rats. METHODS: Ten rats were subjected to bilateral eyelid epilation. One drop of 0.04% MMC solution and one drop of normal saline was then administered to the right and left eyelid, respectively. Three months post-epliation, the number of regrown eyelashes was counted, and a section of tissue from each eyelid was examined under light- and electron microscopies. RESULTS: The number of regrown long eyelashes was 1.0 +/- 0.81 on the right, and 12.5 +/- 1.08 on the left. The rate of regrowth was 7.35 +/- 5.55% on the right and 98.45 +/- 3.27% on the left. Histological examination revealed no significant differences between the right and left eyelids, except for the absence of any hair shafts in the follicles on the right. However, electron microscopy revealed mitochondrial damage in the follicles of the right eyelid. These changes were not observed in tissue from the left eyelid. CONCLUSIONS: The application of 0.04% MMC inhibited the regrowth of normal eyelashes in rats following simple epilation. These results suggest that MMC may be a novel therapy for replacing invasive surgery in trichiasis with no malpositioning.
Animals ; Electrons ; Eyelashes ; Eyelids ; Hair ; Hair Removal ; Microscopy, Electron ; Mitomycin ; Rats ; Trichiasis

PURPOSE: To determine the therapeutic effect between Ellman Surgitron(R) thermolysis and Argon laser thermoablation in patients with trichiais. METHODS: Thirty-one patients (46 eyes) were analyzed. We performed Argon laser thermoablation in 23 patients (35 eyes) and Ellman Surgitron(R) thermolysis in 8 patients (11 eyes). Mean age was 54. Mean follow-up period was 11 months in Ellman Surgitron(R) group, 46 months in Argon laser group. RESULTS: In Argon laser group, 17 cases of 13 patients were performed successfully in first procedure (48.6%), and cumulative success rate was 68.6% after second procedure. Eleven eyes of 6 patients (31.4%) were performed more than three times or needed to surgical intervention. On the other hand, in Ellman Surgitron(R) group, 7 cases of 5 patients (63.6%) were successfully performed in first procedure, and second procedure makes all patients allowed to be successful in treatment of trichiasis. In all two groups, complications such as lid defect, granulation tissue formation, continuous pain and erythematous skin lesions were not found. CONCLUSIONS: The success rate of Ellman Surgitron(R) thermolysis is higher than Argon laser thermoablation, and all patients in Ellman Surgitron(R) group were treated within second procedure without recurrence. The above results suggest that Ellman Surgitron(R) thermolysis is one of the good methods to treat trichiasis.
Argon* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Granulation Tissue ; Hand ; Humans ; Recurrence ; Skin ; Trichiasis*