Prospective evaluation of the argon laser treatment of trachomatous trichiasis.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effectiveness of argon laser photocoagulation for the treatment of trachomatous trichiasis.


METHODS
This report presents a prospective, non-masked study of 22 patients (36 eyelids) with trachomatous trichiasis treated with the argon laser. Each abnormal lash was treated with a beam of 50- to 200-micron spot size, for 0.2 seconds, and 1 to 1.2 watts power. In 30 lids (83.3%) infiltration anesthesia was used and in 6 lids (16.7%) no anesthesia was used.


RESULTS
Successful treatment with no evidence of recurrence was achieved in 55.5% of lids after one laser session. The remaining 44.5% of the lids required two or three sessions. The final success rate of the method was 88.9%. No complications were observed. The mean follow-up time was 10.6 months.


CONCLUSIONS
Argon laser photocoagulation is an effective and safe method for the treatment of trachomatous trichiasis.
Unlü
K
K
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Dicle School of Medicine, Diyarbakir, Turkey.
Aksünger
A
A
Söker
S
S
Karaca
C
C
Bilek
K
K
D000368:Aged; D005140:Eyelashes / Q000601:surgery*; D005141:Eyelid Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006201:Hair Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D017075:Laser Coagulation; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014141:Trachoma / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome