SUMMARY
Purpose:
To evaluate the effectiveness of Argon laser photocoagulation in the treatment of trichiasis and distichiasis.
Methods:
77 eyelids of patients with trichiasis and/or distichiasis treated with photocoagulation of the eyelashes with Argon green laser (Nidek) were studied prospectively. Age, sex, complaints, causes of eyelash misdi-rection, eyelid affection treatment applied (number of appli-cations made in each session) and the evolution after the application (cure or reaplication) were evaluated. The laser settings were: it aims of 50 jm, 0.2 seconds of exhibition, initial potency of 600mw andfinal of lOOOmw. The data were submitted to the descriptive statistical analysis.
Results:
The inferior eyelid (PI) was more affected than the superior (PS) (89PI x 40PS) and trichiasis, more common than distichiasis (89T x 44D). Inspite of the fact that distichiasis eyelashes were destroyed with a lower number of applications, the effectiveness of destruction of the follicles was greater in trichiasis than in distichiasis. The average of laser shots in the first session of application was 3J shots, and 75% of the patients had the misdirectied eyelashes destroyed with 39 shots. With a single session of laser treatment, 37. 7% of the patients were cured and with five applications cure was obtained in 98. 7% of our patients.
Conclusion:
Argon laser photocoagulation is effective in the treatment of trichiasis and distichiasis treatment.
Keywords:
Laser; Trichiasis; Distichiasis; Argon laser