[Treatment of trichiasis with a diode laser].
BACKGROUND
Various methods have been used in the treatment of trichiasis: epilation, excision, cryosurgery, thermocaustic needle, and argon laser. None of these is satisfactory. Based on the principle of selective photothermolysis for destroying specifically the hair follicle, we used a diode laser and evaluated its efficacy.


METHODS
Nineteen eyes with 301 itching lashes were treated in three sessions at intervals of 1 week. In each session the single hair follicle received laser energy of 20 J/cm2 at a frequency of 806 nm for 15 ms. We used a bare fiber of 0.8 mm at a distance of 2 mm from the follicle.


RESULTS
After 4 months two-thirds of the hairs were destroyed. The regrown lashes, however, are lighter and softer than the original ones. This treatment is less painful than all others. The laser is small, easy to use, and inexpensive.


CONCLUSIONS
The diode laser is a useful tool for the treatment of trichiasis. The laser parameters, however, should be ameliorated.
Strempel
I
I
Universitäts-Augenklinik Marburg.
Strempel
H
H
Lange
P
P
D005140:Eyelashes / Q000601:surgery*; D006201:Hair Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D018859:Hair Follicle / Q000601:surgery*; D006204:Hair Removal / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D017075:Laser Coagulation / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome