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Symptoms

Diagnosis

Treatment

Eyelid and Tearing Disorders

Overview of the Eyelids and Tears

Blepharitis

Blepharospasm

Canaliculitis

Chalazion and Stye (Hordeolum)

Dacryocystitis

Dacryostenosis

Entropion and Ectropion

Eyelid Growths

Trichiasis

Herpes zoster ophthalmicus is an infection of the eye caused by the varicella-zoster virus. This virus also causes chicken pox and shingles. Which of the following describes the mechanism by which herpes zoster ophthalmicus causes infection?

It is transmitted through close contact with a person who has the virus.
It is transmitted through the air in water droplets.
The method of transmission is unknown.
The virus remains inactive (dormant) in people who have had chickenpox and reactivates later in life, causing infection.

Trichiasis

Creator: James Garrity
Published: 2020-07-13

By

James Garrity

, MD, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science

Last full review/revision Jul 2020| Content last modified Jul 2020

Click here for the Professional Version

Trichiasis is misalignment of eyelashes, which rub against the eyeball, in a person who does not have entropion.

Trichiasis develops most commonly some time after chronic blepharitis Blepharitis Blepharitis is inflammation of the edges of the eyelids, possibly with thickening scales, crusts, shallow ulcers, or redness and swelling at the edges of the eyelids. The inflammation is caused... read more (inflammation of the edges of the eyelids) or injury or damage to the eyelid or conjunctiva. Some people are born with an extra eyelid skinfold (epiblepharon) that causes the eyelashes to grow straight up into the eye or with an extra row of eyelashes (distichiasis).

Trichiasis differs from entropion Entropion and Ectropion Entropion is a condition in which the eyelid is turned inward (inverted), causing the eyelashes to rub against the eyeball. Ectropion is a condition in which the eyelid is turned outward (everted)... read more (a condition in which the eyelid is turned inward) in that the eyelid position is normal.

In people with trichiasis, the eye becomes red and irritated, feels as though something is in it (foreign body sensation), and develops tearing and sensitivity and sometimes pain when exposed to light. If the condition persists, scarring of the cornea can occur.

Symptoms and a doctor's examination

A doctor bases the diagnosis of trichiasis on the symptoms and examination findings.

Removal of eyelashes

In people with trichiasis, an eye doctor can remove the eyelashes with forceps. If eyelashes grow back, other methods can be used to remove them, such as electrolysis (use of heat and electrical current to destroy the hair follicle) or cryosurgery (use of extreme cold to destroy the hair follicle).

NOTE: This is the Consumer Version. DOCTORS: Click here for the Professional Version

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Eyelid Growths

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Introduction to Eye Socket Disorders

Eyelid and Tearing Disorders

Overview of the Eyelids and Tears

Blepharitis

Blepharospasm

Canaliculitis

Chalazion and Stye (Hordeolum)

Dacryocystitis

Dacryostenosis

Entropion and Ectropion

Eyelid Growths

Trichiasis

Ocular Mucous Membrane Pemphigoid

Blepharospasm

Trachoma

Herpes zoster ophthalmicus is an infection of the eye caused by the varicella-zoster virus. This virus also causes chicken pox and shingles. Which of the following describes the mechanism by which herpes zoster ophthalmicus causes infection?

It is transmitted through close contact with a person who has the virus.
It is transmitted through the air in water droplets.
The method of transmission is unknown.
The virus remains inactive (dormant) in people who have had chickenpox and reactivates later in life, causing infection.

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