Trichiasis is a common eyelid condition in which eyelashes are misdirected inwards and scrape against the cornea and conjunctiva, causing pain, watering, redness and a persistent foreign-body sensation. Treatment depends on how many lashes are involved and why: simple epilation gives immediate relief from a few lashes (from £350), while electrolysis, radiofrequency ablation or cryotherapy permanently destroys recurrent lash follicles (from £950). Where an inturning lower lid (entropion) is the underlying cause, a short lid-correction operation (from £2,400) fixes the position so the lashes point outwards again. Most treatments are quick, done under local anaesthetic, and you go home the same day.
What is trichiasis?
In a healthy eyelid, the eyelashes point away from the eye. In trichiasis, one or more lashes turn inwards and rub against the sensitive surface of the eye with every blink. Because the cornea is one of the most densely nerve-supplied tissues in the body, even a single misdirected lash can feel intensely uncomfortable and, left untreated, can scratch the cornea and risk infection or scarring.
Trichiasis is not the same as entropion, although the two often occur together. In entropion the whole eyelid margin rolls inwards; in pure trichiasis the lid sits normally but individual lashes are misdirected. Common causes include chronic blepharitis (lid-margin inflammation), previous eyelid injury or surgery, scarring conditions, and age-related lid changes.
Symptoms of trichiasis
- A gritty, foreign-body sensation — as though something is constantly in the eye
- Watering (epiphora) and reflex tearing
- Redness and irritation of the eye and lid margin
- Light sensitivity and a scratchy discomfort that worsens through the day
- Recurrent infections or corneal abrasions in longstanding cases
- Blurred vision if the cornea becomes scratched or scarred
An eyelash rubbing your eye is not something to live with. A consultant assessment identifies the cause and the most durable way to stop it.
Book an eyelid assessmentTreatment options
The right treatment depends on how many lashes are misdirected and whether an underlying lid problem is driving them. Your consultant will start with the least invasive effective option and escalate only if lashes recur.
Where an inturning lower lid is the root cause, correcting it with entropion surgery is the most durable solution because it stops new lashes being pushed against the eye in the first place.
What happens during treatment
Most trichiasis treatments are performed in the clinic under local anaesthetic — numbing drops for epilation, or a small injection into the lid for electrolysis, cryotherapy or surgery. You stay awake and feel no pain, only light pressure.
- Your consultant examines the lid margin at the slit lamp to map exactly which lashes are misdirected and check the lid position.
- For a few lashes, epilation removes them instantly for immediate relief.
- For recurrent lashes, electrolysis or radiofrequency ablation delivers a tiny current to each follicle to destroy it permanently.
- For many diffuse lashes, cryotherapy freezes a segment of lid margin to remove the follicles.
- Where an inturning lid is responsible, a short lid-tightening or rotation operation repositions the margin so lashes point outwards.
Recovery week-by-week
Recovery depends on the treatment. Epilation needs no downtime; ablation, cryotherapy and lid surgery involve some short-lived swelling and bruising. Here is the typical picture:
Day of treatment
The eye feels more comfortable straight away once the lashes are removed. After ablation or surgery, expect mild swelling and use any prescribed ointment.
Days 1–3
Any bruising or lid swelling peaks then begins to settle. Simple painkillers and cool compresses help. Most people carry on with normal daily activities.
Week 1
Review if you have had surgery; any skin sutures are checked or removed. The eye surface is healing and comfort continues to improve.
Weeks 2–6
Swelling resolves fully. This is when you would notice whether any epilated lashes regrow, guiding whether definitive ablation is needed.
Beyond six weeks
The eye is settled and comfortable. Ablated and surgically corrected lashes should not return; occasional new lashes can be treated easily.
Trichiasis treatment cost
Our prices are all-inclusive: consultation, the treatment itself, theatre and surgeon fees where relevant, any medication, and your follow-up review. There are no hidden extras.
- Self-pay: from £350 for assessment and epilation; from £950 for electrolysis or radiofrequency ablation; from £2,400 for lid-correction surgery or cryotherapy.
- Insurance: symptomatic trichiasis treatment is usually covered by Bupa, AXA, Aviva, Vitality and WPA — we handle authorisation.
- Finance: 0% options are available for surgical treatment.
For the full range of eyelid and oculoplastic procedure prices, see our price guides.