Question
My child is now three years old and I’ve noticed inverted eyelashes. I haven’t seen this before. Can this be treated without surgery? Is there a possibility of recurrence if surgery is done? How should this be resolved?
Answer
Corneal ulcers can damage the cornea. There are five treatment methods: tooth extraction, electrocautery, cryotherapy, laser therapy, and surgery. Congenital inverted eyelashes occur after birth and are usually found on the lower eyelid. Infants often blink frequently and tear up due to the lashes. If they scratch the cornea, their eyes may become red and sensitive to light. Acquired inverted eyelashes are most commonly caused by trachoma, leading to scar formation on the eyelid conjunctiva and causing inward eyelid and inverted lashes. Eye burns, eyelid injuries, or eyelid surgery can also lead to scar formation on the eyelid, causing normal inverted lashes. Additionally, eyelid conjunctivitis and other diseases can also cause inverted eyelashes due to scar formation on the conjunctiva.