Trichiasis

Trichiasis is a medical term for abnormally positioned eyelashes that grow back toward the eye, touching the cornea or conjunctiva, and it can be caused by infection, inflammation, autoimmune conditions, congenital defects, eyelid agenesis, or trauma such as burns or eyelid injury. Diagnosis is made with a slit lamp, and standard treatment involves removal or destruction of the affected eyelashes by electrolysis, specialized laser, or surgery, though removal with forceps often only provides temporary relief since the eyelashes typically regrow within a few weeks. Severe untreated cases can cause corneal scarring and vision loss.