Characteristics of trichiasis patients presenting for surgery in rural Ethiopia.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the characteristics of trichiasis patients presenting for surgery in Wolayta Zone of Ethiopia.


METHODS
Patients referred for trichiasis surgery by community health agents were evaluated by trained integrated eye care workers (IECWs) for the presence of trichiasis, locations of inturned lashes, severity of trichiasis, corneal opacity, and visual acuity.


RESULTS
1635 individuals with trichiasis presented for surgery. 82% had bilateral trichiasis; 91% of patients reported trichiasis duration of >2 years. Epilation was practised by over three fourths of the study subjects. A high proportion of patients tested positive for ocular Chlamydia trachomatis at presentation. 17% had monocular blindness and 8% were binocularly blind. Corneal opacity was highly associated with the trichiasis duration and severity and visual loss was associated with corneal opacity.


CONCLUSIONS
Severe trichiasis reflects the magnitude of the trachoma problem in Ethiopia. Visual impairment due to trichiasis is highly associated with disease severity and duration. Early intervention to correct trichiasis before it become severe is recommended to prevent visual impairment.
Melese
M
M
Project ORBIS, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
West
E S
ES
Alemayehu
W
W
Munoz
B
B
Worku
A
A
Gaydos
C A
CA
West
S K
SK
D000328:Adult; D001766:Blindness / Q000382:microbiology; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000601:surgery; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis; D003906:Developing Countries; D004774:Entropion / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D005002:Ethiopia; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D012424:Rural Population; D014141:Trachoma / Q000601:surgery