A Trial of Epilation Verses Surgery for Minor Trichiasis
Study Details
Study Description
Brief Summary
Trachoma is the leading infectious cause of blindness worldwide. Recurrent infection by Chlamydia trachomatis causes a gradual scarring process of the inner surface of the eyelid (conjunctiva) leading to in-turning of the eyelids (entropion) and lashes touching the eye (trichiasis). The rate of progression and the severity of disease are variable. Some people develop severe disease with extensive entropion and trichiasis, whilst others have a mild problem with only a few lashes touching the eye, which does not progress.
In more advanced cases there is a broad consensus that the entropion / trichiasis should be corrected by surgery. In mild cases (minor trichiasis: 1-5 lashes touching the eye) the optimal treatment is uncertain. Some advocate early surgery to turn the eyelid out for any individual with one or more lashes touching any part of the eye. Others consider this to be too early for surgical intervention, as surgery can have a high recurrence rate and complications can arise. Instead, they recommend that minor trichiasis can be managed by epilation (pulling out lashes with forceps). In many endemic regions the uptake of surgery is low, with many patients preferring to epilate for mild disease.
The primary purpose of this study is to compare the outcome of immediate surgery to regular epilation for the management of minor trichiasis. The epilation would be done by a person with good eyesight using proper epilation forceps.
| Condition or Disease | Intervention/Treatment | Phase |
|---|---|---|
|
N/A |
Study Design
Arms and Interventions
| Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
|---|---|
| Experimental: A Immediate posterior lamella tarsal rotation surgery for minor trichiasis |
Procedure: Trichiasis surgery
Posterior lamella tarsal rotation
|
| Active Comparator: B Regular epilation by another person |
Procedure: Epilation
Epilation of lashes by another well sighted person using quality epilating forceps
|
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcome Measures
- Trichiasis [One and two years]
Secondary Outcome Measures
- Visual acuity [One and two years]
- Corneal opacity [One and two years]
Eligibility Criteria
Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Minor trichiasis: 1 - 5 lashes touching the eye
Exclusion Criteria:
-
Previous eyelid surgery.
-
Patients with evidence of corneal damage (will be offered surgery).
Contacts and Locations
Locations
| Site | City | State | Country | Postal Code | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bahir Dar Regional Health Bureau | Bahir Dar | Amhara | Ethiopia |
Sponsors and Collaborators
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
Investigators
- Principal Investigator: Matthew J Burton, PhD FRCOphth, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
Study Documents (Full-Text)
None provided.More Information
Additional Information:
Publications
None provided.- 5024