Cryosurgery for trichiasis.

A series of 41 cases of trichiasis was treated with cryosurgery using a standard retinal cryoprobe. The failure rate was approximately 50 per cent. The results should be improved by using properly designed equipment capable of cooling the lash follicles to -20 degrees C, and ensuring that this temperature is achieved by using a tissue thermocouple. A double freeze-thaw cycle should be used and a long-acting local anaesthetic containing adrenaline. The main complication is depigmentation which is a problem only with heavily pigmented patients. Cryosurgery does have potential for the treatment of trichiasis.